Elena's POVI’d cried enough.For days — no, weeks — I let the pain consume me. I let the memories of what Ethan and I used to be haunt me, replaying every sweet promise he once made and every bitter argument that followed. I cried for the family I thought we’d have, for the love I thought would last. But crying hadn’t changed anything.I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror — puffy eyes, red nose, skin pale and tired. I looked nothing like the woman I used to be. The strong, confident Elena I once knew had faded away, buried beneath the weight of heartbreak and regret.But no more.I splashed cold water on my face, wiping away the last traces of my tears. It was time to take control — not just for me, but for Chase. He deserved better than this chaotic mess Ethan and I had created. He needed stability, love, and a home where he felt safe. I couldn’t give him that here — not with Ethan constantly twisting things, turning every conversation into a fight.I wouldn’t let my son
Elena's POV Mia's eyes stayed locked on mine, her expression still twisted with disbelief. For a second, I thought maybe — just maybe — she'd accepted what I'd told her. But then her face hardened.“Why?” she asked, her voice sharp and demanding. “Why would you book a ticket for New York?”I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could speak, she kept going.“Who's going to take care of Chase?” she snapped. “What about me?”Her words hit me like a punch to the chest — not because she was wrong, but because I knew she had every reason to be upset.“I’m taking Chase,” I said quietly, feeling the weight of those words in my chest.Mia’s eyes widened, and her face twisted with a mixture of anger and hurt. “What about me?” she asked again, her voice quieter this time — almost fragile.I froze. I didn’t know what to say. I knew I couldn’t give her the answer she wanted.The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. Then, as if the realization had just slammed into her all at on
Elena's POVAfter everything — the tears, the heartbreak, the long emotional talk with Mia — I felt lighter. The weight that had been suffocating me for weeks finally seemed to lift, even if only a little.Mia’s forgiveness had made all the difference. I wasn’t sure I could’ve gone through with this if she’d stayed angry. But she understood — more than I thought she would — and that gave me the strength I needed.“You’re not packing like that,” Mia scolded, dragging my half-folded clothes out of my suitcase and refolding them properly.“I didn’t know I had a technique,” I teased weakly.“You don’t,” she shot back, flashing me a teasing smile before zipping up one side of my bag. “But lucky for you, I do.”I smiled faintly and sank onto the edge of my bed, watching her move around my room like she owned the place. She was so confident, so steady — like nothing could shake her. I envied that.“I can’t believe this is happening,” Mia mumbled, tucking Chase’s tiny shoes into a side pocket
Elena’s POVThe day I dreaded finally arrived — the day I had to leave.Morning came too fast, and before I knew it, my bags were packed, my apartment was bare, and my heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice. Chase was still asleep, curled up peacefully in his blanket on the couch, unaware that today marked the start of a new life.I glanced at Mia, who stood by the door, her face tight with emotion. She was trying to be strong — for me, for Chase — but I knew her well enough to see the sadness behind her smile.“Ready?” she asked quietly.I swallowed hard. “Yeah... I guess I am.”The ride to the airport was quiet. Chase slept on my lap the whole way, his tiny fingers wrapped around mine. I kept staring out the window, watching the streets I’d driven down so many times, knowing it would be a long time before I saw them again — if I ever did.When we reached the airport, Mia insisted on walking me inside.“You don’t have to,” I told her, trying to sound strong.“I want to,” she
Elena’s POVThe afternoon sun bathed the apartment in a warm, golden light, casting gentle shadows on the walls. Chase had just drifted off to sleep in his crib, his tiny chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath. I stood by his side for a moment, brushing a soft kiss against his forehead before quietly stepping out of his room.In the living room, I sank into the plush cushions of the couch, allowing myself a rare moment of respite. The move had been exhausting, both physically and emotionally, but the sight of Chase settling in so comfortably made it all worthwhile.Reaching for my phone, I noticed a barrage of notifications—comments, messages, and reactions to the post I had made earlier about leaving Ethan. The decision to disable the comment section had been deliberate; I wasn't ready to face the myriad of opinions and judgments from others. This journey was personal, and I needed to navigate it on my own terms.To shift my focus, I decided to share a glimpse of our new
Ethan's POVI paced back and forth in my room, fists clenching and unclenching at my sides. My chest tightened with every breath, like I couldn’t get enough air — or maybe it was just the rage burning inside me.So she left... just like that.I let out a bitter laugh, one that sounded colder than I expected. Of course, Elena couldn’t just leave quietly — no, that would’ve been too simple. Instead, she had to make a scene. A public scene. Her stupid post had gone viral, spreading like wildfire. Now people couldn’t stop talking — whispering like they knew anything about my life. About our life.“She really did it…” I muttered, my voice shaking.I stopped pacing and stared at the wall, jaw clenched so tight it hurt. I was supposed to be upset that she left — and I was. She walked away without a word, taking my child with her like I didn’t matter. Like I wasn’t part of their lives. But what really set my blood boiling was that post — her smug little post that painted me as some careless h
Ethan's POVI barely slept that night. Every time I closed my eyes, my mind dragged me back into the same storm of anger. Images of Elena’s smug little post flashed behind my eyelids — her words mocking me, humiliating me. And then our child’s face... the one person I’d fought so hard to build a future for. Gone. Taken from me like I didn’t matter.By morning, the rage was still boiling inside me — hotter, heavier. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d been blindsided, stabbed in the back by the one person I once trusted.I stormed downstairs, barely noticing the startled looks my staff gave me. My steps were heavy, each one echoing off the marble floor like a warning shot. The air felt tense — as if they could sense the storm brewing inside me.“Mr. Ethan, would you like breakfast?” one of the maids asked carefully, her voice low.“Do I look like I want breakfast?” I snapped, barely glancing at her.She flinched back like I’d slapped her, murmuring a quick apology before hurrying out
Ethan's POVI woke up feeling like I'd barely closed my eyes. My head throbbed, and my body felt heavy, like I’d been hit by a truck. The memories from the night before came flooding back — the anger, the humiliation, the endless thoughts about Elena and that stupid post.I dragged myself out of bed and stumbled into the shower. The cold water hit me like a slap, but it didn’t wash away the frustration boiling inside me. If anything, it made it worse — like I was wide awake now and fully aware of just how bad things were.By the time I got dressed — sharp suit, crisp tie, polished shoes — I felt like I was walking around with a ticking bomb strapped to my chest. My mind kept circling back to the courtroom. Today I was going to sue her — make her pay for taking my child away and humiliating me. Wherever she was, she’d know that I wasn’t backing down.When I got to the office, the air felt heavier than usual. My staff must have sensed it because no one dared say a word to me as I walked
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,