When Elena arrived home, she led Hailey to her room, assisting her with a bath and helping her change into fresh clothes. Afterward, Elena stood up with the intention of preparing dinner. But just as she was about to leave, Hailey's small hands gently grasped her index finger."Mom..." Hailey called softly. Elena turned and knelt down to meet her gaze."What's the matter, sweetheart?" Elena asked in a soothing tone, gently brushing a strand of hair from Hailey's face."Is Dad really my dad?" Hailey asked quietly. Elena smiled warmly, cupping her daughter’s face and nodding reassuringly."Of course he is, honey. He’s just..." "Then why did he hurt you?" Hailey interrupted, her voice trembling as her eyes filled with tears. Elena noticed the tears and smiled again, tenderly touching Hailey’s neck before placing a soft kiss on her forehead."It doesn’t hurt, sweetie. And you shouldn’t blame your dad for it. He..." Elena paused, looking down at the child before gently sitting in front of
"Marianne...""It's okay, Alex," she interrupted. "I was expecting this. It would have been stranger if you both didn’t have a child together."Alexander frowned, confused. Why wasn’t she trying to reason with him?Before he could respond, his phone rang. It was a video call from his mom. Without saying anything to Marianne, he answered the call and held the phone out toward her.Marianne looked at the screen, her eyes widening when she saw Mrs. Skarsgard’s face."Mom?" she whispered. Mrs. Skarsgard immediately brought her hands to her mouth in shock, tears welling in her eyes."My poor baby..." she sobbed. Marianne’s own eyes started to sting with tears at the sight."You didn’t even want to call me, huh? Have you really come to hate me that much?" Mrs. Skarsgard asked, and Marianne shook her head."I miss you, Mom. I miss you so much, I just... I just didn’t have the courage to face you yet..." Marianne’s voice softened, the words fading with emotion."You look so thin—are you eatin
Alexander attempted to push Elena away when his gaze fell on Marianne’s shocked expression, but he found his strength waning. The drugs coursing through his system left him physically weak and mentally clouded.His hands, gripping Elena’s hips, held her firmly as he tried to muster the little strength he had left to push her away. However, to Marianne, it looked entirely different; she saw an Alexander who seemed to be enjoying having sex with his ex-girlfriend.As if to complicate things further, Elena pressed her ass against his d*ck, eliciting an involuntary groan from him."That's it, honey, moan for me," Elena muttered, increasing her pace.The intensity of the sensation was overwhelming, heightened by the drugs' potent effects.Marianne stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide with disbelief. She couldn’t comprehend what was unfolding before her. How could Alexander allow this to happen?Elena chuckled softly, enjoying the reaction on Marianne's face as she continued her relen
Marianne stood still as Jayson kissed her. The unexpected gesture from Jayson had caught her off guard, shattering the carefully constructed barriers. She didn’t move, couldn’t react. Her body froze, her arms limp at her sides. Her mind, however, was a storm of chaos. She was barely processing what was happening before her tears began to fall. It wasn’t Jayson she was thinking about, not his lips on hers or his hands cupping her face. Her thoughts were with Alexander. The bitter replay of what she had seen moment ago. Why didn’t he push Elena away? Why had he held her waist, his hands lingering as though they belonged there? The memory played over and over in her mind like a cruel movie reel, and every time she thought of it, her heart cracked a little more. Alexander didn’t look drunk when she saw him. There had been no signs of clumsiness, no glassy eyes to suggest he wasn’t in control. He had seemed fine...completely fine.Her tears kept falling, hot and relentless, blurring
Dylan watched Michael sleep, a soft smile playing on his lips. Michael had looked completely worn out earlier, saying he desperately needed to rest. Yet, when Dylan had asked to keep the video call going, Michael didn’t object. Now, Dylan couldn’t take his eyes off him."He's so adorable..." Dylan whispered, his gaze fixed on the screen. He traced the shape of Michael's thick eyebrows with his finger, his heart swelling with affection."I’ll go talk to her tomorrow," he murmured, even though he knew Michael was fast asleep and couldn’t hear him. Earlier, Michael had asked him to visit Marianne and deliver an important message and he had agreed without hesitation.Leaving the phone propped up, he headed to the bathroom to take another quick shower, all while keeping the video call running.When he returned, he dressed quietly, glancing at his phone every few moments to check on Michael. He didn’t have the heart to end the call.Finally, Dylan climbed into bed, settling in under the cov
The soft chime of a notification woke Dylan, but what truly caught his attention was the faint glow of his phone screen. Michael’s face was still there, watching him with a gentle smile. “Good morning, sleepyhead,” Michael teased, his voice tender. Dylan blinked and groaned, realizing he’d fallen asleep on their video call as well. "You were watching me sleep? For how long?" He asked, rubbing his eyes slightly.Michael chuckled, his eyes sparkling through the screen. "An hour ago?" Michael replied. "You could have woke me up..." Dylan pouted."I couldn’t help it. You looked peaceful… and you know, so cute that I could watch you sleep all day..." Michael said with a light smile before leaning closer to the camera, pressing an exaggerated kiss to the screen. "Missed you," he murmured softly. Dylan blushed, trying to hide it by adjusting his pillow. He leaned toward his phone and blew a kiss back. "There, now we're even," he said with a playful smile. Michael laughed, his face
"Make me like you..." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Jayson blinked, his mind racing, unsure if he’d heard her correctly."What?""I said, make me like you," she repeated, her tone more desperate this time."Anne, do you..." he began.“Please, Jayson," she pleaded, her gaze filled with anguish. "I can’t... I can’t keep feeling like this. I need to move on." A single tear slipped down her cheek. She didn't want this, but she felt she had no choice. Her heart couldn’t be made only for Alexander, could it? She needed to at least feel something for someone else.She was going to give it a try, even though she knew how difficult it would be.Jayson's jaw tightened as he searched her face, his gaze lingering on hers for a long moment. Then, without a word, he stepped closer and cupped her face in his hands."Anne..." he murmured, but before he could say more, she pulled him toward her by his shirt, crashing her lips onto his, tears flowing from her eyes, the memory of Alexander
Michael’s return to San Diego was a big event. The moment he walked out of the airport, cameras started flashing everywhere. Reporters rushed forward, shouting questions at him, but he didn’t answer any of them. Fans crowded behind barriers, screaming his name and waving signs. Some of them had their phones out, trying to take pictures or record videos. "You’ve gotten slimmer, MLD!" one fan shouted. Michael stopped and turned toward the crowd, chuckling. "Really?" he said with a playful smile, making the fans scream even louder. He waved at them again before getting into the black car waiting for him outside. As the car drove off, Michael leaned back in his seat and let out a quiet sigh, looking out the window at the familiar city. It felt good to be home. ***** Brian stood by the windowside, scrolling through the news about Michael’s return. A sly smile appeared on his face as he picked up his phone and made a call. "Michael is back, from tomorrow, tail him. I want updat
"Well, I've been away for almost an hour. I think I need to get back to my baby," Elena said, standing up. Sophia rose as well, leaning in close to whisper something into Elena's ear. Whatever she said made Elena smile. "Alright, I can't wait for tomorrow then. See you at Jayson's birthday party," Elena said with a wave before leaving. Sophia watched her go, her smile sharp and calculating. "Sorry, Marianne, but you don't deserve my man," she muttered under her breath. Picking up her phone, she dialed a number. When the person answered, her smile deepened as she spoke softly. ******Elena arrived home to the sound of laughter. Stepping inside, she found Hailey engrossed in a game on her tablet while Alexander sat cross-legged on the floor with Emilio between his legs. Both of them were intensely focused on a game displayed on the TV, acting like a pair of kids. Elena’s irritation flared. How could Alexander leave her child unattended to bond with Marianne’s son? "Baby…" El
Jake grabbed Alexander’s hand, leading him out of the basement and back to his room. After shutting the basement door, Jake sat on the bed, gesturing for Alexander to join him. "Sit down," Jake said, pulling the still-standing Alexander to sit beside him. "I was expecting you to throw a punch when you found out," Jake joked, trying to lighten the tension. Alexander frowned. "I don’t remember saying I needed a comedian," he replied coldly. Jake raised an eyebrow. "Did you forget Hailey is home alone?" "I didn’t forget for a second," Alexander shot back. "So, can we skip the jokes and get to the part where you explain why you have a secret basement, a gun, and all those terrifying things down there?" Jake exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples. "It’s... a long story," he said finally. Alexander crossed his arms, glaring at Jake. "Well, I’m all ears." Jake nodded slowly, leaning back against the headboard. "It happened a long time ago..." he began, his voice tinged with rel
After finishing breakfast, Alexander headed to the bathroom, leaving Elena and Hailey behind in the sitting room. He couldn't help but scoff at how happy Elena seemed. The thought of her being in tears soon actually gave him a sense of satisfaction.Even if Marianne never forgave him, he owed her the truth. No matter the consequences, the truth had to come out. As he emerged from the bathroom, Elena walked in. She smiled at the sight of him, and Alexander sighed inwardly. He wasn’t in the mood for whatever she had planned, but he knew he had to play along. He watched as Elena approached him."Where’s Hailey?" Alexander asked casually as Elena reached for the towel secured around his waist. Her fingers lingered briefly before she leaned in, pressing a delicate kiss to his lips. "She’s asleep," Elena murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck."I've really missed you, Alex. You shouldn’t have left like that—I was furious," she muttered. Alexander pulled her closer by the waist, for
Dylan’s eyes slowly opened, and he was greeted by the sight of Michael still peacefully asleep in his arms. He stared at Michael’s face, a small smile curling on his lips.This was the one guy he had come to love so deeply—a guy he couldn’t imagine living without if anything went wrong. Just having him here, in his arms, was the best thing that could ever happen to him.His smile grew as he puckered his lips. He couldn’t resist Michael’s tempting lips. Leaning closer, he pressed a soft kiss to Michael’s lips. He did it again a second time, but Michael didn’t wake up.This time, he kissed him longer before pulling back to watch Michael’s reaction.Michael stirred slightly, his brows furrowing before his lips curved into a sleepy smile. "Mmm," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep. "Good morning, baby," he muttered, still half asleep.Dylan kissed his eyes, then his nose, before kissing his lips again."Will you stop doing that?" Michael asked, his voice thick with sleep, as Dylan gri
The next morning, after calling Elena to come by his place with Hailey, Alexander found himself pacing the living room, his mind restless. "They’ll be here soon. What should I do next?" he wondered aloud, running a hand through his hair. His gaze shifted to the kitchen. "Breakfast," he muttered, a sudden thought sparking. He strode into the kitchen, pulling out ingredients. Cooking wasn’t something he’d ever done for her—not even once. Maybe this gesture would make his plan work. A good pretense, he thought, was the key. As he moved around the kitchen, his eyes kept darting toward the boiling pot on the stove. The scent of rosemary and garlic filled the air, but his focus wasn’t on the food—it was on the outcome. His thoughts raced as he glanced at the clock, his jaw tightening. This wasn’t something he wanted to do, but it had to be done. The sharp buzz of his phone broke through his thoughts. Alexander grabbed it from the counter and read the message: 'We’re here.' He took
Alexander sat on the cold floor in his apartment, his back against the wall. Two empty beer bottles lay beside him, their contents long gone, but the pain in his chest still lingered. His eyes were red and puffy, tears streaking his face as quiet sobs shook his body. The sound of his phone vibrating cut through the silence. It vibrated against the floor, its screen lighting up repeatedly. At first, Alexander didn’t even glance at it. He didn’t have the energy. But when the call persisted, he sighed and reached for it. He blinked at the screen, when he saw the name 'Mom' displaying on it.For a moment, he debated letting it ring out. But something inside him told him to answer. Slowly, he swiped to pick up the call and brought the phone to his ear. "Hello?" he muttered softly."Alex?" His mom’s voice was calm, but there was concern behind it. "What’s going on? You sound terrible."The sound of her voice was too much for him. Before he knew it, he began to cry openly, holding the
Michael’s return to San Diego was a big event. The moment he walked out of the airport, cameras started flashing everywhere. Reporters rushed forward, shouting questions at him, but he didn’t answer any of them. Fans crowded behind barriers, screaming his name and waving signs. Some of them had their phones out, trying to take pictures or record videos. "You’ve gotten slimmer, MLD!" one fan shouted. Michael stopped and turned toward the crowd, chuckling. "Really?" he said with a playful smile, making the fans scream even louder. He waved at them again before getting into the black car waiting for him outside. As the car drove off, Michael leaned back in his seat and let out a quiet sigh, looking out the window at the familiar city. It felt good to be home. ***** Brian stood by the windowside, scrolling through the news about Michael’s return. A sly smile appeared on his face as he picked up his phone and made a call. "Michael is back, from tomorrow, tail him. I want updat
"Make me like you..." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Jayson blinked, his mind racing, unsure if he’d heard her correctly."What?""I said, make me like you," she repeated, her tone more desperate this time."Anne, do you..." he began.“Please, Jayson," she pleaded, her gaze filled with anguish. "I can’t... I can’t keep feeling like this. I need to move on." A single tear slipped down her cheek. She didn't want this, but she felt she had no choice. Her heart couldn’t be made only for Alexander, could it? She needed to at least feel something for someone else.She was going to give it a try, even though she knew how difficult it would be.Jayson's jaw tightened as he searched her face, his gaze lingering on hers for a long moment. Then, without a word, he stepped closer and cupped her face in his hands."Anne..." he murmured, but before he could say more, she pulled him toward her by his shirt, crashing her lips onto his, tears flowing from her eyes, the memory of Alexander
The soft chime of a notification woke Dylan, but what truly caught his attention was the faint glow of his phone screen. Michael’s face was still there, watching him with a gentle smile. “Good morning, sleepyhead,” Michael teased, his voice tender. Dylan blinked and groaned, realizing he’d fallen asleep on their video call as well. "You were watching me sleep? For how long?" He asked, rubbing his eyes slightly.Michael chuckled, his eyes sparkling through the screen. "An hour ago?" Michael replied. "You could have woke me up..." Dylan pouted."I couldn’t help it. You looked peaceful… and you know, so cute that I could watch you sleep all day..." Michael said with a light smile before leaning closer to the camera, pressing an exaggerated kiss to the screen. "Missed you," he murmured softly. Dylan blushed, trying to hide it by adjusting his pillow. He leaned toward his phone and blew a kiss back. "There, now we're even," he said with a playful smile. Michael laughed, his face