Elena's POVI was halfway through my meal when Mia suddenly shifted in her chair, her expression turning a little too smug — the kind of look she always wore when she was about to spill some juicy gossip.“What?” I asked, setting my spoon down. “You’ve got that face.”“What face?” she asked innocently, but her grin betrayed her.“The one that says you’re dying to tell me something.”Mia giggled, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Okay, okay... I have tea to spill, but you have to promise not to judge me.”I raised an eyebrow. “Now I have to hear this.”She leaned in a little closer, her eyes practically glowing with excitement. “So... I think I like someone.”“Oh?” I smirked. “Let me guess — another ‘Big Boat’ guy?”“Ugh, no!” she laughed. “This one’s actually... special.”“Okay, spill. Who is he?”She hesitated, her smile turning a little shy — which wasn’t like Mia at all. “Well... you actually know him,” she said slowly.“I know him?” I blinked. “Wait... don’t tell me... Is it—” The
Elena's POVI leaned back against the pillow, my body still exhausted but my mind surprisingly alert. I was really enjoying this. After everything that had happened today — the pain, the fear, the overwhelming emotions — this lighthearted conversation with Mia was exactly what I needed.“You know,” I said with a grin, “I’ve really missed gisting with you like this.”“Oh, girl,” Mia smirked, “I’m not even done yet.”I laughed. “There’s more?”“Yup!” She grinned proudly. “And guess what? I get the privilege to call him Mr. James now.”I blinked. “Wait... his name’s James?”“Uh, duh,” Mia said, like it was obvious. “James Johnson — Mr. Johnson’s first name is James.”“Wow.” I shook my head. “I don’t know why, but that feels... weird. Like, he’s just been ‘Mr. Johnson’ for so long that I forgot he’s an actual person with a first name.”“Tell me about it,” Mia giggled. “The first time he told me to ‘just call me James,’ I nearly forgot how to speak. Like, I just stood there awkwardly like.
Elena's POVMia leaned back in her chair, a playful grin spreading across her face. “Okay, okay... back to James,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “Let me just finish gisting you about him before I go see him — and before Ethan comes back in.”“Sounds like a plan,” I said with a smile.“So,” Mia began, “he called me over to visit him.”I raised a brow. “Wait... are you sure you want to go?”Mia scoffed. “Of course I’m going! I mean... probably wants to talk about the kiss... and, you know... suck—”“Suck what?” I cut in, narrowing my eyes.Mia’s grin widened. “My breasts.”I nearly choked on my water. “Mia!” I gasped.“Oh, come on, Elena,” Mia teased, laughing. “You don’t expect a guy to unhook your bra and then just... pat you on the back?”I shook my head in disbelief. “I just... wow. I still can’t believe all that happened in one night. In his office, no less.”“Trust me,” Mia said with a sigh, “I didn’t expect it either. One minute we were arguing about some report, the next... well
Elena's POVEthan’s fingers were still wrapped around mine, his thumb gently tracing circles on my palm. For a while, neither of us spoke. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, but there was a weight to it — like something heavy was still lingering in the air.“I need to say one more thing,” Ethan said quietly. His voice was softer now, almost shaky.I looked up at him. “Okay...”He exhaled deeply, his eyes flickering with something I couldn’t quite place — something raw and vulnerable.“I love you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I never stopped loving you, Elena.”My breath hitched.“I know... I know I didn’t act like it,” he added quickly. “I know I was angry and stubborn, and I let my pride get in the way, but... God, I never stopped.”“Ethan...” My voice wavered.“I’m scared,” he said suddenly, his grip on my hand tightening. “I’m really scared.”I frowned. “Scared of what?”“Of losing you,” he admitted. His voice broke slightly. “When you went into labor... when I saw y
Ethan’s POVThe hospital room was dimly lit, the soft hum of medical equipment creating a rhythmic backdrop. Elena lay peacefully on the bed, her chest rising and falling in a steady cadence. The tension that had once etched lines across her face had melted away, leaving her looking serene.I sat beside her, my fingers intertwined with hers, unwilling to let go. The weight of our past mistakes hung between us, but we had finally bridged the chasm that had kept us apart. The relief of reconciliation was profound, yet the fear of losing her lingered like a shadow.My phone vibrated on the table, the screen illuminating with an all-too-familiar name: Victoria. A sigh escaped my lips. Her persistence had been a constant thorn in my side, especially now when all I wanted was to be here for Elena.I let the call go unanswered, my focus returning to Elena. The tranquility of the moment was disrupted again by the insistent buzzing. Victoria's name flashed repeatedly, each call more aggravatin
Ethan's POVThe hospital room was bathed in the soft glow of the bedside lamp, casting gentle shadows that danced across the walls. Elena lay peacefully, her rhythmic breathing a soothing reminder of the life we had brought into the world just hours earlier. I sat beside her, the aroma of the food I'd brought filling the room, a stark contrast to the sterile hospital environment.My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. It was a message from Mia."I'm fine, Ethan. Why do you ask?"I hesitated, fingers hovering over the keyboard. Should I mention my earlier concerns about her health? Deciding against it, I typed back, "Nevermind."Almost immediately, her reply came through. "I'm fine, really. How's Elena doing?"A small smile tugged at my lips. Mia had always been attentive, her concern unwavering. I responded, "Elena's good. Resting now.""Glad to hear. I'll be there soon."I glanced at the assortment of snacks I'd picked up earlier: Lay's Poppables Sweet Potato Sea Salt chips, a
Ethan's POV The hospital corridor buzzed with the usual activity—nurses attending to patients, the distant beeping of monitors, and the murmur of conversations blending into a comforting white noise. Elena rested peacefully in her room, her face serene despite the day's events. Mia sat beside her, flipping through a magazine, her presence a steady anchor in the storm we'd weathered.I leaned against the wall outside, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. The fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow, amplifying the fatigue settling into my bones. Just as I closed my eyes, hoping for a brief respite, a sudden commotion jolted me upright."You fucking bitch!"The voice, shrill and venomous, cut through the ambient noise like a knife. My eyes snapped open to see Victoria charging down the hallway, her face contorted with rage, a wooden stick clenched tightly in her hand.Time seemed to slow as she burst into Elena's room. Mia sprang to her feet, positioning herself between Victoria and the
Ethan's POVThe echo of Victoria's retreating footsteps still lingered in the sterile hospital corridor when I turned back to the room, my heart heavy yet resolute. The confrontation had drained us all, leaving a palpable tension in its wake. As I glanced toward the doorway, my breath caught in my throat.There stood Daniel, clutching a gift basket adorned with a bright bow and a congratulatory card nestled among the assorted items. His shoulders sagged, and his eyes, usually so full of confidence, now reflected a deep-seated anguish. A part of me reveled in his visible torment, a vindictive satisfaction bubbling beneath my calm exterior.But as he drew a deep breath and stepped into the room, my attention shifted to Elena. She straightened in her bed, her eyes widening slightly, lips parting as if to speak but hesitating. Her fingers toyed with the edge of the blanket, a subtle sign of her anticipation. The sight twisted something deep within me, a pang of jealousy mingled with betra
Elena's POV Four years had passed, and life had unfolded in ways I never could have imagined.Daniel and I are married now. It wasn’t a grand, extravagant event — just a small ceremony with close friends and family. But it had been perfect. I still remembered the way Daniel’s eyes locked on mine as I walked down the aisle, the way his fingers trembled slightly when he slid the ring onto my finger. The way his whispered “I love you” had calmed my nerves in an instant.Our wedding may have been simple, but our love? That was anything but.Chase was four years old now — bright-eyed, full of questions, and sweet in ways that melted my heart. He had Daniel’s calm nature — steady and thoughtful — but with just enough of my stubbornness to keep things interesting.“Mom!” Chase’s little voice rang out from the living room. “Can you tie my shoe?”“Coming!” I called back, setting my coffee mug down.When I stepped into the room, I couldn’t help but smile. Chase sat cross-legged on the carpet,
Elena's POV The warmth of morning sunlight kissed my face, stirring me awake. My lashes fluttered as I blinked a few times, adjusting to the light streaming through the curtains. Something felt... different. The room smelled faintly of lavender, and the air carried a sense of calm — unusual for my chaotic life these days.I sat up slowly, my gaze sweeping across the room. My eyes widened.Everything was spotless — no, perfect. The clothes I’d left scattered on the chair were neatly folded. The empty glasses on the nightstand were gone. Even the floor looked freshly mopped, shining faintly in the morning glow. A bouquet of fresh roses sat on the dresser, their vibrant red petals bright against the white vase.Daniel.I smiled to myself. He was always doing things like this — quietly stepping in to make my life easier without asking for credit. My heart warmed at the thought.I turned to check on Chase. He was curled up on his side, snuggled beneath the covers, his little face relaxed
Elena's POV I spent most of the day convincing myself that I was ready — that talking to Daniel wouldn’t be as terrifying as I’d built it up to be. Mia’s words kept replaying in my head.“Don’t let fear stop you from something that could actually make you feel whole again.”By evening, I was still nervous, but I knew I couldn’t keep running from this. It was time.The next morning, I got up early to prepare Chase’s bag — diapers, wipes, his favorite stuffed elephant — the usual things I carried when we went out. He was getting so big now, already crawling everywhere, babbling non-stop. Each day, he felt more and more like a little person, and I knew Daniel had played a huge part in that.After dressing Chase in his soft blue onesie, I scooped him into my arms.“Alright, little man,” I whispered, “let’s go see Daniel.”---Daniel greeted me with his usual warm smile when I arrived. He stood in the doorway, his hair still damp from a shower, dressed in a fitted black t-shirt and jeans.
Elena's POV I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to shake Daniel’s words from my mind.“I’m here... not just as a friend, but as someone who cares about you.”I closed my eyes, replaying that moment over and over again. The warmth in his voice, the softness in his gaze — it all lingered in my thoughts, making my chest feel tight.The truth was, I’d been denying it for weeks. The way my heart raced whenever he smiled, the way I caught myself thinking about him even when he wasn’t around. I told myself it was nothing — that it was just comfort, or maybe gratitude.But it wasn’t.I knew it.I rolled onto my side, clutching the pillow close to my chest. Daniel had been denying it too — pushing his feelings aside, holding back when it was so clear he wanted more. I could see it in his eyes when we talked, feel it in those quiet moments when his hand lingered just a second too long.He wanted me.And the truth was... I wanted him too.But I didn’t know how to say it. After so much
Elena's POVI lay on my bed, the soft hum of the ceiling fan above me creating a calming rhythm. My body felt heavy, not with exhaustion but with a strange sense of peace. For the first time in a long while, life felt... manageable. Maybe even a little happy.Chase’s giggles still echoed in my head — that sweet, bubbly laugh that made my heart melt every single time. He was growing so fast. Just yesterday, he was this tiny bundle in my arms, barely able to hold up his head. Now, he was crawling around the house like he owned the place, babbling "goo goo ga ga" as if he had so much to say but just couldn’t find the words yet.I smiled to myself, turning onto my side to stare at the empty spot beside me on the bed.Daniel had been coming around more often lately — always showing up with a warm smile, always willing to lend a hand. What started as simple work discussions had shifted into something... more. Something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.I remembered the way he looked at me
Elena's POVAs the evening at the Pizza Club in McPherson, Kansas, drew to a close, the warmth of the celebration lingered in the air. Laughter and the aroma of freshly baked pizza had filled the room, creating memories we would cherish. Daniel, ever the gentleman, offered to escort me outside while the others settled the bill.Stepping out into the night, a brisk March breeze greeted us, sending a shiver down my spine. Noticing my discomfort, Daniel immediately shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders."Here, take this," he said, his voice filled with concern. "Can't have you catching a cold now."I looked up at him, gratitude warming me more than the jacket ever could. "Thank you, Daniel. You're always so thoughtful."We began to stroll along the quiet street, the soft glow of streetlights casting elongated shadows on the pavement. The town had a serene quality at night, with only the distant hum of traffic disrupting the silence."So, how have you been?" I asked, gla
Elena's POV I sat on the couch, scrolling mindlessly through my phone when Mia burst into the room, her face glowing like the morning sun."Elena!" she practically screamed.I barely had time to react before she flopped down beside me, hugging a throw pillow tightly against her chest."What's gotten into you?" I laughed, setting my phone aside."Guess what!" she grinned, her excitement practically bouncing off the walls."What?" I asked, leaning in eagerly."James proposed to me yesterday!" she squealed, flashing her hand in front of me. The silver ring caught the light perfectly, sparkling like something out of a fairy tale.My eyes widened, and in the next second, we were both on our feet, screaming and jumping like a pair of schoolgirls."Are you serious?!" I grabbed her hand, inspecting the ring like a jeweler. "Oh my gosh, Mia, it's beautiful!""Right?! He planned this whole surprise dinner — candles, roses, everything — and then just got down on one knee right in front of every
Elena's POV Rumor had it that Ethan was in New York. Apparently, he'd been staying lowkey since the whole scandal started, but Daniel somehow managed to track down where he was staying.“We should go talk to him,” Daniel said as we sat in his apartment, reviewing the evidence again.I raised an eyebrow. “Confront him? Just like that?”Daniel leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming on the table. “If he’s in New York, this is the perfect chance to clear things up. He needs to know the truth — and fast.”I exhaled slowly, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. “Yeah... you're right. Let's do it.”A couple of hours later, we were standing outside a sleek hotel in Manhattan. My heart hammered in my chest as we walked inside. Ethan wasn’t exactly the most predictable person — especially now. I wasn’t sure how he’d react to what we were about to tell him.“Are you sure he’s here?” I asked, clutching my bag tightly.Daniel nodded. “I called ahead. He's in his room.”The elevator ride
Elena's POVDaniel was working tirelessly — even I could see it. The dark circles beneath his eyes were impossible to miss, and his sharp features seemed a little sunken. He looked exhausted — like he’d been running on fumes for days.All this... just to help me.I didn’t know whether to feel touched or guilty. Maybe both.That evening, I decided to stop by his apartment. Mia had mentioned earlier that she and Mr. Johnson were going out tonight, which meant Chase was with Jade. That gave me some free time — and a perfect reason to check on Daniel.I knocked softly on his door, half-hoping he’d already fallen asleep so I could just leave and convince myself he was taking care of himself.“Come in,” his tired voice called out.I stepped inside and felt my heart twist. He was sitting at his desk, surrounded by papers, files, and — oh my God — three empty coffee mugs. His laptop screen glowed faintly, bathing his face in pale blue light.“Hey,” I said softly, trying to sound casual.“Oh,