Emma’s POVThe sun was shining brilliantly, casting warm golden hues over the entire park. It was a perfect day, blue skies, a gentle breeze, and the sound of laughter from other park-goers in the distance.But none of that mattered more than what was happening here today, today was special.As I stood in the middle of the setup, scanning everything for what felt like the hundredth time, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.Not in a bad way, though,no, this was the kind of overwhelming that filled you with gratitude, with love.The decorations were immaculate. Balloons of all colors floated in clusters, tied to every chair and post. A massive banner stretched across the entrance, reading "HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY, JASON & ANNA!" in bright, playful letters.Two long tables stood parallel to each other, one covered in shimmering pink for Anna’s princess theme, the other draped in blue, decorated with all things Paw Patrol for Jason.Jeff had truly outdone himself.I took a deep breath, press
Emma’s POVFive years ago.I sat on the edge of our bed, my hands gripping the hem of my dress as I tried to steady my breathing, my entire body trembled from the confrontation earlier that morning.My husband, if I could call him that, we've been married for almost a year now and I have never felt like his wife or even felt like I was living with a husband, he had always made me feel unwelcomed and unwanted whenever I was in his presence.And today was just another day of him doing just that, he had done it again. He had torn into me with words so sharp, they had cut through me deeper than any blade ever could.“You’re pathetic Emma. A complete waste of space.” He had spat before storming out.That was Jeff, the man who had once vowed to love and cherish me, the man who now seemed to despise everything about me.I had spent the entire day trapped in my own mind, replaying his words over and over, trying to understand what I had done wrong this time, but the answer was always the same
Emma’s POVPresent DayThe hospital room was eerily silent. The air, thick with tension, made it hard to breathe. My hands trembled as I clutched the DNA test results, my heart slamming against my ribs.This couldn’t be real, it couldn’t be.I lifted my gaze slowly, my eyes shifting between the two men standing before me, Jeff and Sam.Jeff’s face was unreadable, his brows furrowed as if he was trying to make sense of what he was seeing, his hands were shoved into his pockets, his jaw tight.Sam, on the other hand, was furious. His nostrils flared, his fists clenched at his sides, his entire body radiated anger and betrayal, and his dark eyes burned with rage as he glared at me.“What the hell is this Emma?” Sam’s voice was low, dangerous.I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. My throat was dry, my mind racing.Sam snatched the paper from my hands and scanned the words again, his expression growing darker with each second. Then, he scoffed.“This has to be a joke,” he mutt
"Congratulations, ma'am." I forced a smile as another camera flash went off in my eyes. My cheeks ached from holding the expression, but I stayed silent, knowing better than to let my true feelings show."Happy one-year anniversary again, babe." My husband, Jeff, murmured beside me. His arm was wrapped around my waist in a gesture that might have looked affectionate to onlookers but felt more like a shackle to me."Thank you, love," I responded with another hollow smile, leaning into a brief and forced kiss.Everyone thought my life was perfect. I was married to the most powerful man in New York, many women envied my so-called fairytale existence. But if only they knew the truth. If only they knew how every day felt like walking on broken glass, waiting for the next cut.“Let’s go and sit down. I know your feet must be hurting from standing so long.” Jeff's voice was smooth, almost gentle, but I knew better than to trust the softness. I nodded in response, and we descended from the po
Four Years Later Emma's POV "I'm late."I exclaimed loudly when I looked at the time. I hurriedly got up from bed, fumbling around the room, trying to wear my skirt and blouse at the same time.I knew what I was trying to do was impossible and the only way I could get something done was to wear each of them one at a time but because time wasn't on my side again, I had to hurry.Contrary to what I thought, I successfully managed to wear both the skirt and the blouse and once that was done with, I was out the door almost immediately, making sure to lock the door before finally leaving.I had decided to take a nap after taking Jason and Anna to preschool, it was their first day and they were very excited. I made sure I woke up as early as possible so I could get everything ready and thankfully, we were quite on time.I decided to take a short nap after dropping them off as I still had some time to spare, my short nap turned into a full deep sleep which made me wake up twenty minutes la
Emma's POV"Emma?”He called my name and although the way my name rolled off his tongue shouldn't affect me, I couldn't deny that it did, it affected me more than it should have.I closed my eyes and composed myself before opening them again to look at my children, "Jason, Anna, come here my darlings. I told you wandering off is not good, you make mummy worry when you do that." I cautioned them.They ran into my outstretched arms immediately, "We're sorry mummy, we didn't run away, we only missed you and that was why we came to look for you.""I'm not mad. Let's go." I answered, tugging their hands and pulling them with me."Emma wait!" I heard his voice again and my heart clenched in my chest once more.I never thought I'd be seeing him again so soon, it was all too much for me, all I just wanted was to crawl into a hole and disappear."Mummy, is this daddy?" Anna's little voice asked me and it took all of my willpower not to break down and cry but I stayed strong."No baby, this isn
EMMA’S POV“How is that possible? Jeff, I don’t want to have anything to do with you not to talk staying in same apartment as you,” I retorted, blaring fury obvious in my face.“Emma, you don’t have a say here, I own you and everything that is in you,” Jeff replied with a proud expression, his two hands elegantly pocketed in his trouser.“ Are you kidding me? Seems like you forgot something. We are fucking divorced and you have no control over me and let me tell you something, I have no intention of being together with you, not now or later,” I retorted sharply.This statement from me angered him and pissed him off, “ can you listen to yourself speak? It's an order from me, if you think it's too much for you to agree to, get yourself out of my property,” His response was like a knife driven to my heart so I didn't bother to reply him, I swallowed hard to hold back the tears that threatened to drop from my eye. This is the man that I have loved and respected a lot.I wiped my eyes an
Emma’s Pov"Emma felt her heart pounding in her chest, each beat like a drum echoing her terror. Her mind raced in disarray, struggling to find a way out as panic set in.”What is going on here? “ Liam burst into laughter.” Who do you think you are? You should appreciate a man of caliber trying to roll with low-life like you.Emma’s face brightened up and pretended to be fine, is this what have been brought here to tackle? My heart still pounding slowly in my chest, but was something in me force a smile out of my face.I don’t mean to be rude but i just do not appreciate strangers touching me inappropriately. Hello, Emma, meet Mr Liam the CEO Liams Consult, you will be working directly with him here, said Mrs Williams as she rushed into my office. I don't think i can work or award this company any contract, said Liam and banged his feet angrily on the tiles. "She let out a long sigh, the excitement draining from her face, replaced by a look of deep disappointment.""Please, I’m be
Emma’s POVPresent DayThe hospital room was eerily silent. The air, thick with tension, made it hard to breathe. My hands trembled as I clutched the DNA test results, my heart slamming against my ribs.This couldn’t be real, it couldn’t be.I lifted my gaze slowly, my eyes shifting between the two men standing before me, Jeff and Sam.Jeff’s face was unreadable, his brows furrowed as if he was trying to make sense of what he was seeing, his hands were shoved into his pockets, his jaw tight.Sam, on the other hand, was furious. His nostrils flared, his fists clenched at his sides, his entire body radiated anger and betrayal, and his dark eyes burned with rage as he glared at me.“What the hell is this Emma?” Sam’s voice was low, dangerous.I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. My throat was dry, my mind racing.Sam snatched the paper from my hands and scanned the words again, his expression growing darker with each second. Then, he scoffed.“This has to be a joke,” he mutt
Emma’s POVFive years ago.I sat on the edge of our bed, my hands gripping the hem of my dress as I tried to steady my breathing, my entire body trembled from the confrontation earlier that morning.My husband, if I could call him that, we've been married for almost a year now and I have never felt like his wife or even felt like I was living with a husband, he had always made me feel unwelcomed and unwanted whenever I was in his presence.And today was just another day of him doing just that, he had done it again. He had torn into me with words so sharp, they had cut through me deeper than any blade ever could.“You’re pathetic Emma. A complete waste of space.” He had spat before storming out.That was Jeff, the man who had once vowed to love and cherish me, the man who now seemed to despise everything about me.I had spent the entire day trapped in my own mind, replaying his words over and over, trying to understand what I had done wrong this time, but the answer was always the same
Emma’s POVThe sun was shining brilliantly, casting warm golden hues over the entire park. It was a perfect day, blue skies, a gentle breeze, and the sound of laughter from other park-goers in the distance.But none of that mattered more than what was happening here today, today was special.As I stood in the middle of the setup, scanning everything for what felt like the hundredth time, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.Not in a bad way, though,no, this was the kind of overwhelming that filled you with gratitude, with love.The decorations were immaculate. Balloons of all colors floated in clusters, tied to every chair and post. A massive banner stretched across the entrance, reading "HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY, JASON & ANNA!" in bright, playful letters.Two long tables stood parallel to each other, one covered in shimmering pink for Anna’s princess theme, the other draped in blue, decorated with all things Paw Patrol for Jason.Jeff had truly outdone himself.I took a deep breath, press
Emma’s POVThe morning of the custody hearing dawned clear and crisp. The kind of morning that should have felt peaceful, but instead, it carried an electric charge in the air, something almost tangible, like the quiet before a thunderstorm.For the past few weeks, Jeff, Valerie, and I had spent countless hours preparing for this day. Every document, every testimony, every shred of evidence that could prove I was the best person to raise my children had been carefully compiled.And now, it was time.But for some reason, instead of waking up with the usual knot of dread in my stomach, I felt confident.I didn’t know where the sudden surge of assurance came from, but as I stretched and got out of bed, I knew one thing, I was ready to fight.I walked down the hall to the twins' room, taking a deep breath before pushing the door open. Jason and Anna were curled up under their blankets, breathing softly in sleep. For a moment, I just stood there, watching them, feeling my heart swell with
Emma’s POVThe drive home was a blur.My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles ached, but I couldn’t bring myself to relax. My mind was spinning, replaying every word, every smirk, every calculated move Sam had made.He had played me.From the moment he sent that text, from the moment he sat across from Jeff in that restaurant, he had been pulling the strings and I had walked right into his trap.A shudder ran through me as his final words echoed in my head."I’ll do whatever it takes to get my kids Emma. Whatever. It. Takes."I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting with unease.What if he really could take them from me? Sam had money, and connections. He had the ability to paint me however he wanted in court, to manipulate the system in his favor. And worst of all? He knew exactly how to get inside my head.The thought made my throat tighten.I had never felt so powerless.By the time I pulled into the driveway, my body was running on autopilot. I barely registered t
Emma’s POVI was at home, in the space Jeff had kindly cleared up and told me I could use as an office, sifting through paperwork when my phone vibrated beside me. I glanced at the screen and felt my stomach tighten.It was a text from Sam.I hesitated for a moment before picking it up. We hadn’t spoken much outside of work lately, not since Jeff had started trying to rebuild things between us and yet, here he was, reaching out now.I tapped the notification, and his message appeared on the screen.Sam: Lunch? There’s something I want to talk to you about.I exhaled through my nose, debating whether to ignore it. Meeting Sam for lunch didn’t feel like the best idea, not with how complicated things had already become.Jeff had been making an effort, an effort that, if I was honest, I wasn’t sure how to handle just yet.Still, I wasn’t naive. Sam never reached out without a reason. Before I could overthink it, another message popped up.Sam: Before you say no, it’s just lunch. Nothing m
Jeff’s POVI sat in my study long after Emma had gone to bed, staring at the dim glow of my desk lamp, my thoughts a tangled mess.Tonight had been a wake-up call.I had spent the past months trying to repair the damage I had done to my marriage, trying to prove to Emma that I had changed, that I was ready to be the husband and father I should have been from the start, but no matter how hard I tried, I felt like I was losing her.And now, Sam was back.I clenched my fists, the name alone igniting a slow burn of anger deep in my gut.I had spent years avoiding the reality of my mistakes, but I couldn’t avoid them anymore, Sam had been there when I had pushed Emma away.He had been there when she had needed someone. He had been there when I had been too caught up in my pride and resentment to be the man she deserved.And now, because of my failures, I was at risk of losing everything.I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my desk, exhaling slowly. If I wanted to fix this, if I wanted t
Emma’s POVThe days after the gala had been a haze of emotions, a relentless tug-of-war between my past and my present.No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, Sam’s words clung to me like an old melody I couldn’t forget but I once had a life with Jeff, although it crumbled, we still had it.But Sam was right about one thing in the midst of my current confusion and that was that, he was the father of my children. No matter how much time had passed, that fact wouldn’t change.And that truth gnawed at me.I lay awake for nights, staring at the ceiling, thinking about what it would mean for Jason and Anna to meet him. Would they like him? Would they feel an instant connection, or would they shy away from him like he was a stranger? Because that’s exactly what he was to them, a stranger.Still, something in my heart whispered that I owed them this.So, before I could talk myself out of it, I picked up my phone and sent the text.Emma: I’ve been thinking, you should meet them.The respons
Chapter 40Emma’s POVThe moment I stepped out of the private lounge, my head felt like it was spinning, the weight of Sam’s words pressed against my chest, making it hard to breathe.He wanted another chance.A chance to be the father he had never been, the partner he should have been. His voice had trembled with regret, his eyes had pleaded for understanding, for forgiveness.And for the first time since he’d returned, I saw something in him that had been missing before, desperation.I swallowed hard, stepping back into the main ballroom. The dazzling chandeliers, the laughter, the clinking of champagne glasses, it all felt distant, muffled, as if I was watching everything through a thick fog.My eyes darted across the room, scanning the sea of unfamiliar faces, until they landed on one that was far too familiar.Jeff.He stood near the bar, his broad shoulders tense, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his suit trousers and his gaze was fixed on me, dark and unreadable.I knew he