Finally, Jack’s eyes flicked up, and he noticed me standing there. His expression shifted from relaxed to tense in an instant, and he pulled his arm away from my mother as if he’d been caught doing something wrong. My mother followed his gaze and turned to look at me, a warm smile on her face.
“Hey, sweetheart,” she said, her voice bright. “How was school?”
I forced a smile, trying to ignore the tightness in my chest. “It was fine,” I replied, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears.
Jack’s eyes lingered on me for a moment, his expression unreadable. I couldn’t tell if he felt guilty, sad, or something else entirely, but I couldn’t bear to look at him for too long. I quickly shifted my gaze to my mother, focusing on her instead.
“I’m just going to head up to my room,” I said, already turning to leave before they could respond.
“Oh, okay,” my mother said, a hint of concern in her voice. “If you need anything, just let us know.”
“Thanks,”
Rachel couldn’t shake the thoughts of Sophia’s confession from her mind. The more she mulled it over, the more determined she became to take action. She cared for Sophia, but she also couldn’t ignore the feelings she had been harboring for Alex. It wasn’t just about the secret anymore; it was about what she wanted too. That afternoon, Rachel made a decision. She grabbed her keys and headed over to Alex’s place, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t call ahead—this was something that needed to be done in person, without giving him the chance to brush her off. When she arrived at Alex’s door, she took a deep breath before knocking. The door opened a moment later, and Alex’s surprised face appeared. “Rachel?” he said, eyebrows raised. “What are you doing here?” “Hey, Alex,” she replied, offering him a tentative smile. “I hope you don’t mind me dropping by unannounced. I just… I needed to talk to you.” Alex frowned slightly, but he stepped aside to let her in. “Sure, come in.
Alex's eyes searched Rachel's face, his expression a mix of surprise, confusion, and desire. He seemed to be struggling with his emotions, unsure of how to process what was happening. Rachel's heart pounded as she waited for his response, her mind racing with possibilities. She could feel the tension between them building, the air thick with unspoken words.Finally, Alex spoke, his voice low and husky. "Rachel, I...I don't know what to say."Rachel's lips curled into a gentle smile, encouraging him to open up. "You don't have to say anything, Alex. Just kiss me again." Alex's eyes locked onto hers, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, gentle kiss. Rachel's heart soared as she felt his hesitation melt away, replaced by a growing passion.As they deepened the kiss, Rachel knew she had made the right decision. She was ready to take a chance on Alex, to see where this newfound connection might lead. But as they pulled apart, gasping for air, Rachel's thoughts turned
The next day, I decided to distract myself the best way I knew how—spending time with Alex. We had been planning to go shopping together for a while now, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to clear my mind, or at least try to.As we walked through the mall, surrounded by the bustle of people, I did my best to focus on Alex. He was his usual sweet, thoughtful self, pointing out stores he thought I’d like and cracking jokes to keep the mood light.But no matter how hard I tried to focus on him, I couldn’t shake the thoughts of Jack from my mind. It was like he had taken up permanent residence in my head, lingering in every quiet moment, every lapse in conversation. Every time Alex smiled at me or reached for my hand, a pang of guilt twisted in my stomach.“Sophie, you okay?” Alex asked, pulling me out of my thoughts as we stood in front of a clothing store. He looked at me with a gentle smile, though I could see the concern in h
As we finished our coffee and got up to leave the café, I found myself glancing at my phone, half-expecting a message from Jack even though I knew it wouldn’t come. I shook my head, frustrated with myself for even thinking about him. I was here with Alex, a guy who genuinely cared about me, and yet my mind kept wandering back to the man I knew I couldn’t have.The rest of the day passed in a haze, with Alex doing his best to keep me engaged, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t fully be present. Jack’s absence was like a shadow, following me everywhere I went, and I didn’t know how to make it disappear.By the time we headed back home, I was exhausted—not just physically, but emotionally. I had spent the entire day trying to forget about Jack, trying to focus on Alex, but in the end, I was left feeling more conflicted than ever. The feelings I had for Jack weren’t going away, no matter how much I tried to push them aside, and I didn’t know what to do.As A
The next day started like any other, though the tension between me and Jack hung in the air like a dark cloud. I had spent most of the morning trying to avoid him, retreating to my room and drowning myself in schoolwork, but as lunchtime rolled around, I knew I couldn’t hide forever. I had skipped breakfast, but i was hungry now and i needed to eat.As I made my way downstairs, I heard my mother and Jack in the kitchen, their voices light and carefree. I couldn’t help but eavesdrop, curiosity and dread mixing in my chest.“I think it’ll be good for us,” I heard Jack say, his tone soft but full of enthusiasm.“Definitely,” my mother replied. “We need this time together, just the two of us.”I paused just outside the kitchen door, my heart sinking. What were they talking about? Slowly, I stepped inside, pretending I hadn’t been listening.“Hey, honey!” my mother greeted me with a
As I lay there, tears streaming down my face, I felt like I was drowning in my own emotions. I couldn't bear the thought of Jack and my mother together, couldn't stand the idea of him touching her, loving her. It was like a knife twisting in my heart, a constant reminder of what I could never have.I knew I had to get out of there, had to escape the toxic emotions that were suffocating me. I threw off the covers and stumbled out of my room, desperate for fresh air.As I walked out of the house, I felt a sense of freedom, of release. I didn't know where I was going, didn't care. I just needed to get away.I walked for hours, lost in my thoughts, trying to make sense of the chaos inside me. But the more I walked, the more confused I became.Eventually, I found myself at Alex's doorstep, unsure of how I got there or why I was there. But as he opened the door, concern etched on his face, I knew I needed him."Hey," he said softly, pulling me into a hug
The house felt impossibly quiet after my mother and Jack left for their trip. It had only been a few hours, but the silence weighed heavily on me, reminding me constantly that they were together, far away from here. Together in ways I couldn’t bear to think about.I sat on the couch in the living room, staring at the blank TV screen. The ticking of the clock on the wall was the only sound, each second stretching endlessly. My thoughts drifted, no matter how hard I tried to stop them, back to Jack. I thought about where they might be right now—maybe holding hands on a beach somewhere, laughing together, sharing private moments. The thought alone made my heart ache.But beneath the ache, there was something else—something that scared me. I missed him. Not just as my mother’s partner, but as the man I’d been close to in ways I never should’ve been.I let out a shaky breath, leaning back into the couch cushions as memories of him flooded my mind. The times whe
When I arrived at Alex's house, something felt off. I had texted him earlier to see if he was home, but he hadn’t responded. Still, I figured maybe he was busy or hadn’t seen my message. I decided to drop by anyway, hoping to find some comfort after the overwhelming loneliness that had settled in since Jack and my mother left.I couldn't sit in that house any longer, surrounded by memories and thoughts I couldn't escape. Jack and my mother were miles away, wrapped up in their world, and I was left behind, drowning in my own emotions.I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. After a moment of hesitation, I tried the door handle. It was unlocked. I stepped inside, calling out his name, but the house was eerily quiet. My heart raced for reasons I couldn’t explain, and an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach.I made my way upstairs, thinking he must be in his room. As I approached his bedroom door, which was slightly ajar, I could hear faint voices—muffled, but unmistakably familia
The sun had already dipped below the horizon by the time I reached Jack's private apartment. My heart was pounding—not from fear, but from determination. I had decided to tell him everything about my mother’s schemes and Margaret’s involvement. We needed to be united against them, no matter what they threw our way.I used the spare key Jack had given me the last time I was here after knocking severally with no response. Pushing open the door to his apartment. The living room was dimly lit, a faint glow spilling out from under the bedroom door. I hesitated, suddenly uneasy.“Jack?” I called softly.No response.I stepped further inside, my unease growing with every step. When I reached the bedroom, I gently pushed the door open, only for the sight before me to send my world crashing down.Jack was in bed, tangled in the sheets with Rachel.Her head was nestled against his chest, and his arm was draped possessively over her. Their clothes were scattered across the floor, leaving no room
My mother reached for my hand, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m trying to protect you, Sophia. From him, from the pain I know is coming if you stay with him. Please, believe me.” I pulled my hand away, standing to put some distance between us. “I can’t, Mom. I can’t just trust you after everything you’ve done. You’re not trying to protect me—you’re trying to control me. And I won’t let you.” Her shoulders slumped, and for the first time, she looked truly defeated. “You think I’m the enemy,” she said quietly. “But one day, you’ll see. One day, you’ll realize I was right about him.” Without another word, she rose and walked to the door. Before leaving, she turned back to me, her expression a mix of sadness and resolve. “I just hope it won’t be too late when you do.” As the door clicked shut behind her, I sank onto my bed, my mind swirling with doubt and anger. Was she right about Jack? About me? But deep down, I knew one thing for certain: I couldn’t let her control my life,
An hour later, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway drew me to the window. Jefferson stepped out, his tall frame and commanding presence impossible to miss. I hurried downstairs to let him in. “Thank you for coming,” I said, my voice shaky but grateful. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Of course. Where is she?” “In the living room,” I said, gesturing toward the door. Jefferson nodded and walked in, his footsteps firm and deliberate. My mother looked up from her tea, her eyes narrowing when she saw him. “What are you doing here?” she asked coldly, setting her cup down. Jefferson didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he took a seat across from her, his expression unreadable. “We need to talk, Karen.” “I don’t have anything to say to you,” she snapped. “Well, I have plenty to say to you,” he replied, his tone calm but unyielding. “This plan of yours to use Sophia’s situation to get money out of Jack—it’s despicable, even for you.” Her eyes flashed wit
When I got home, the weight of the confrontation at the station still pressed heavily on my chest. My mother’s words echoed in my mind, each syllable laced with anger and judgment. I slammed the door behind me, my steps firm as I made my way to the living room where she sat, sipping tea like nothing had happened. She glanced up at me, her face composed, as if the firestorm she had unleashed didn’t exist. “Why, Mom?” I demanded, my voice trembling with a mix of fury and disbelief. “Why would you go to the police? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” She set her cup down with a deliberate slowness, her gaze sharp but calm. “I did what any mother would do to protect her daughter.” “Protect me?” I laughed bitterly, crossing my arms. “Don’t pretend this is about me. You’ve been trying to destroy Jack from the start. What’s your plan, Mom? What are you really after?” Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, I thought she wouldn’t answer. Then, she sighed, gesturing
I sat frozen, staring at my phone long after Jack had hung up. My mind raced, replaying his words over and over. My mother had gone to the police. She wasn’t just trying to hurt Jack—she was trying to destroy him.But what about me? What would happen when they started asking questions? The truth wasn’t just messy—it was a minefield. One wrong move, one slip of the tongue, and everything could explode.I needed to act. Now.Grabbing my jacket, I hurried out of the house, barely registering the biting wind against my skin. My mind was set—I needed to get to the station. I couldn’t leave Jack to face this alone.The ride there felt endless, each minute dragging as I rehearsed what I might say. How could I explain this? How could I protect him—and myself—without making everything worse?When I arrived, the building loomed in front of me like a fortress. My legs felt like lead as I pushed through the doors.“Can I help you?” a stern-looking officer asked from behind the counter.“I’m here
It had been a few days since Jack and I had last spoken. He was probably trying to prepare himself for the inevitable—Karen's decision to end things officially. A part of him thought he would receive a divorce letter, and he was ready for it. After all, there wasn’t much left to salvage in this mess we both had created.But when the letter came, it wasn’t from a lawyer. It was from the police.Jack sat at his desk, staring at the envelope in disbelief. His heart pounded as he tore it open and read the contents.“You are hereby requested to appear at the Central Police Station regarding allegations filed against you involving your stepdaughter, Sophia—”The rest of the words blurred as his mind raced. Allegations? My stepdaughter? The implications hit him like a freight train, and Ihefelt the air leave his lungs.This had to be a mistake.His hands trembled as he set the letter down, his thoughts in chaos. Who had done this? How had this gotten out? Karen—she wouldn’t… would she?The t
It had been days since my last conversation with Jack, and I was still navigating the emotional storm it had left behind. The weight of my mother’s expectations, Jack’s unwavering stance, and the impending reality of the baby were more than I could bear. But the thought that kept reoccurring the most was our initmate time together. It was so good, I replayed it several times, and somehow wished I could go back to him and do it all over again. The silence in the house was both a blessing and a curse, giving me too much time to think. What was going to happen after my mother and Jack get divorced? Will Jack and I be able to be together? Or was that a dream that would never come true?When the doorbell rang that afternoon, I wasn’t expecting anyone. I hesitated for a moment before opening the door, my heart sinking the instant I saw Alex standing there.“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.Alex stood there, looking as confident as ever, but there was so
The dim light of the bedroom cast shadows on the walls, and the world outside seemed to fade away as Jack gently set me down on the bed. His touch was tender, his gaze unwavering as if he were memorizing every detail of this moment.“Sophia...” he whispered again, his voice a mixture of longing and restraint.I reached for him, pulling him closer, silencing his hesitation with another kiss. The intensity grew, and for a while, everything else ceased to exist—no secrets, no lies, no guilt. Just us.My breath hissed in wonder at the sensation of him inside me, it has been a while since we were together like this. It had been a very long time since i'd been on top, and I liked it. I rocjed my hips down over his cock, and got rewarded by a low grunt from Jack. Encouraged, I swirled my hips over his in circular motions that reminded me how big he was, how well he filled me, how good he felt inside me. My hands moved to his chest, teasing his nipples as I rocked gently atop him."Touch me,
Jack guided me to the couch, his arm still loosely wrapped around my shoulders. The weight of the world felt lighter in his presence, even if only for a little while.“I told her, Jack,” I said softly, breaking the silence. “About my feelings for you. About us... and now she’s demanding I keep the baby and do whatever she says.”He let out a low, frustrated sigh. “Karen doesn’t forgive easily. She’s definitely up to something.”I nodded, tears welling up again. “I don’t know what to do. I agreed to her terms because I just wanted her to stop looking at me like I’m a stranger, like I ruined everything.”Jack leaned back, running a hand over his face. “Sophia, you didn’t ruin everything. I—” He stopped, his jaw tightening. “I should’ve stopped this before it got to this point. You’re in the middle of a storm I helped create.”I reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. “Don’t do that. We’re in this together. I don’t regret the baby or what we had, Jack, no matter how complicated thing