MAISIEI thought he wouldn’t answer for a moment.“I’ve tried,” Jason finally responded. “I’ve tried everything I could think of to make things right with him. But it didn’t matter.”He let out a short, bitter chuckle. “He sees me as the reason for everything wrong in his life. Because our father chose me over him. I didn’t ask for that. I didn’t want it.”I stayed quiet, letting him speak. His words felt heavy like they’d been bottled up for far too long.“I apologized,” he continued, staring out at the lights now. “Over and over again. In every way I knew how. But he wouldn’t hear it. And the worst part?” He paused and his jaw tightened. “He was the only real family I had. The only one who understood what it was like to grow up in that house. And now… there’s no one.”My chest ached for him, the raw pain in his voice cutting through me. “It wasn’t your fault,” I said, hoping he’d believe me.Jason shook his head with a humorless smile tugging at his lips. “Fault doesn’t matter. Not
MAISIEI gasped, holding onto the bars for dear life. It felt like we were being tossed around in a storm. The dizziness from earlier was nothing compared to this.My arms trembled from the strain of holding on, and I let out a ragged gasp when the ride finally stopped. Everyone looked disheveled, like a hurricane had swept through.I stood up, intending to check on Don, but the ride lurched again before I could take a step.I stumbled, my balance completely gone. Panic shot through me as I felt myself falling. Fortunately, a strong, tattooed arm wrapped around me and yanked me into a firm lap.The familiar cologne enveloped my nostrils before I even saw his face.Jason.His grip was firm, holding me securely as the ride continued its chaotic movements.He caught me every time I started to slip. My heart pounded in my chest. I wasn’t sure if it was from the ride or the way he was holding me.I straightened up when the ride finally ended, my legs shaky beneath me.I turned toward Don a
Miriam hurried to drag over her suitcase. She started rifling through my clothes and hers for what felt like forever, tossing rejected options on the floor. Finally, she pulled out a black swimsuit and held it up against me, her head tilting as she visually measured it.“This is perfect,” she declared. “Bought it for the trip, didn’t you?”I hesitated, brushing my fingers over the fabric. “Yeah, but Jason warned me not to wear anything too revealing. Out of respect, I didn’t. Honestly, I felt bad not trying it on, but now…” I trailed off, glancing at her.“Now you’re glad you have it,” Miriam finished for me with a sly smile on her face.I took the swimsuit from her, my nerves bubbling to the surface. “But what if he doesn’t mean swimming? What if I show up looking ridiculous?”Miriam rolled her eyes and pulled out a little black dress with a low back and a thigh-high slit. “Put this over it. If he wants to swim, you can take it off. Just don’t get my dress wet!”I nodded, clutching t
MAISIEThe kiss was wild and passionate, leaving no room for hesitation.My hands tightened on his shoulders as I kissed him back, the world around us fading away.Jason suddenly leaned back and pulled us both underwater. Panic flared in me for a moment but it quickly dissolved, replaced by a strange sense of warmth and calm. The water surrounded us, muffling everything except the steady rhythm of my heartbeat.My hair stuck to my face and obscured my vision as I gasped for air when we surfaced.Jason reached out, brushing the strands away with a tenderness that made my body tingle.“Beautiful dress,” he remarked, flashing me a sly smile.I glanced down and froze. Miriam’s dress… her dry-clean dress was now completely soaked. Worse, it had turned almost transparent, revealing the black swimsuit underneath.“You ruined my dress!” I exclaimed in panic.Jason’s grin widened. “I think it looks better this way.”I glared at him, sinking deeper into the water until only my head was visible.
MAISIEMy lips curved into a wicked smile. "We are." I held up my hand, crossing my fingers tightly together in an exaggerated gesture. "Curious about something specific?"Jason's eyebrows arched toward his hairline, surprise briefly displacing his usual composed expression. Then a low chuckle rumbled from his chest—one that sent unexpected tingles down my spine."We really are," I added impishly, unable to resist pushing just a little further."No bullying allowed, woman!" His voice carried a teasing lilt.A burst of genuine laughter escaped me at his unexpected retort. But before I could fully appreciate his wit, he leaned closer with his eyes narrowing playfully."And who might this other one be?" He tapped the screen. "Master of fancy thrills?"The question blindsided me so completely that I inhaled wrong and my laughter transformed into a violent coughing fit.My hand flew to my chest as I struggled to catch my breath between coughs."Hey..." Jason's playful demeanor vanished ins
MAISIE"I didn't put it on myself." My voice came out sharper than intended while I backpedaled two steps. "It was already there when I put the shirt on."A playful smirk danced across Jason's features. Without a word, he reached out, his fingers threading through my hair in a gentle, teasing ruffle.The casual intimacy of the gesture sent a flutter through my stomach. He bent down, gathering our wet clothes – my damp garments and his swimsuit – from where they lay scattered on the floor."Relax." His voice carried a soothing warmth. "I'm not filing any reports. Let me throw these in the dryer – I'll be right back."The door clicked shut behind him, and my held breath escaped in a long exhale. The sudden solitude felt both liberating and overwhelming.My gaze drifted inevitably toward his closet, its door standing invitingly open.The rational part of my brain screamed that snooping was wrong, but something about Jason made all my usual boundaries blur and fade. He was like a puzzle I
MAISIEThe challenge in his voice sent sparks dancing through my veins, but underneath the heated moment, something heavier pressed against my conscience.The truth I'd been carrying felt like lead, threatening to poison whatever was blooming between us. Each second I kept it hidden felt like another brick in a wall I didn't want to build."You failed the test!" The words burst from me with forced cheerfulness.I pushed against his chest, creating distance between us, and made a beeline for the door. The sudden space helped clear my head, though my heart continued its frantic dance."I believe a retake is in order." Jason’s voice followed me, rich with amusement as the sound of his footsteps echoed behind me.I spun around, summoning my best authoritative expression. "Unfortunately, Mr. Harding, your performance indicates you'll need to repeat the entire year." The playful words helped mask the tremor in my voice.Two swift strides brought him back into my personal space."On the cont
MAISIEThe soft lamplight cast gentle shadows across the room as I studied his face, curiosity getting the better of me. "Do you suffer from insomnia?" My voice was barely above a whisper.Jason’s eyes met mine.Realization dawned on me. "Is it chronic or new insomnia?" I pressed."It hit me a few years ago." His fingers drummed absently against his thigh. "I don't sleep much these days. Most people would find my nighttime activities mind-numbingly boring. Reading technical manuals, organizing files – things that should put anyone to sleep. Yet for me, they're just ways to pass the time."The drowsiness clouding my thoughts made me blurt out, "Is that why you became a manager?"A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he drew closer. Without a word, he guided me to rest against his chest and his warmth immediately enveloped me."I've sat with people from every walk of life, including the most influential figures in the country." His voice rumbled beneath my ear. "But being a manager?” His h
MAISIEI froze, then rushed closer to her. "Lily, what did you say? Say it again!"She placed her tiny palm on my cheek."Amma!"It wasn't perfect, but it was close enough. After months of trying, she'd finally said something resembling "Mama."Joy exploded through me like fireworks. I started bouncing up and down, unable to contain my excitement."She said it! She said 'Mama'! Did you hear that? She called me 'Mama'!" I shouted, throwing my arms wide and then forming a big heart shape with them for Lily.Suddenly, I realized I hadn't captured this momentous occasion. "Wait, I need my camera! This is important!"I started frantically searching through my bag. "Don't say anything else until Mama comes back with the camera, okay?" I called over my shoulder as I dug through my belongings.I've always been one to wear my emotions openly, especially happiness. After everything I'd been through in my life, I'd promised myself I would never downplay joy when it came my way. I would celebrate
MAISIEI was making my way back from checking on Don and his friends who were busy taking photos and being typical teenagers when Lily suddenly began squirming in my arms, making urgent sounds and pointing.Don had asked us to keep his relationship with Jason private at school. As far as his classmates knew, Jason was just his stepfather, the school principal who had married his mom.I understood his need for privacy; teenage social dynamics were complicated enough without adding that layer.Lily's movements became more insistent, drawing my attention back to her. She was staring fixedly at something, her little body practically vibrating with excitement.Following her gaze, I realized we were standing near the elephant enclosure. A massive African elephant was resting in the shade of a large tree, separated from us by sturdy metal bars and a deep moat.I moved closer to the viewing area, and Lily immediately grabbed onto the bars, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the enormous
MAISIEI turned back to face her, noting the familiar look of contempt that always appeared whenever Karina's name came up.Miriam had disliked her from the start, but her hatred had intensified after I'd explained the full story of how Karina had conspired with Jason's brother Jared, how she'd betrayed years of friendship with Jason just to trap him in a relationship."What's she done now?" I asked, not entirely sure I wanted to know.My feelings toward Karina were complicated. For a long time, I'd seen her as nothing but a manipulative obstacle standing between Jason and me. Then, during our final confrontation, I'd glimpsed something else—a young woman crushed under the weight of family expectations and desperate choices.However, that brief moment of sympathy had evaporated when Jason finally told me everything. The extent of her deception, the calculated way she'd worked with Jared to keep Jason tied to her... I'd never wished anyone ill except for Jared, but Karina had earned a
MAISIE"It's okay, sweet girl," I murmured, holding Lily close as our car pulled away from the driveway.Her eyes were still watery, her little chest occasionally hitching with the aftermath of tears. She'd been crying for Don, who had left earlier with Chen and their friend to meet us at the zoo.Don had snuck out while Lily was distracted with her toys, but she'd noticed his absence almost immediately. It was almost comical how both her father and brother would try to slip away unnoticed, terrified of upsetting a twenty-month-old."Come on, Lily," I said brightly, trying to distract her. "Say 'Mama'!"I'd been trying to coax her first words for weeks now. However, she seemed determined to take her time.The pediatrician assured us it was normal. Some children were simply more observant before they started speaking still I couldn't help feeling a little anxious.Lily ignored my prompting, becoming fascinated with the buttons on my jacket instead. She leaned forward, her chubby finger
MAISIEThe next morning, I emerged from a quick shower and headed to the dressing room to get ready for the day.I'd passed by Lily's room earlier and found both her and Jason still asleep, though she had somehow migrated onto his chest, her favorite sleeping position since she was born.Whenever she was with one of us while sleeping, she'd inevitably crawl up and settle herself on our chest, her ear pressed against our heartbeat.I pulled on ripped jeans, a white tank top, and a soft gray blazer, then headed back to the nursery, eager to tell Jason about his unprecedented night of sleep.When I reached Lily's room, the bed was empty. I found them on the other side of the room, where Jason was sitting on the floor with Lily in his lap, carefully putting tiny shoes on her feet.She looked adorable in a white sundress, her hair tamed into two small pigtails.I was about to speak when Don appeared behind me with Lily's sippy cup of milk in his hand."Time for breakfast, everyone," he ann
MAISIE~A couple of years later~I gave birth to the most beautiful little girl in the world two years after our wedding. We named her Lily, after Jason's mother. Sometimes I call her Lil when she's being especially cute, which is pretty much all the time.It was actually my suggestion to name her after his mother. I knew it would make Jason happy, and it truly did. The way his eyes lit up when I proposed it—that moment alone was worth it.Now she's one year and eight months old, toddling around our home with a determination that makes us all smile.Lily has filled our lives—mine, Jason's, and Don's—with a kind of joy I never knew existed. Her little voice, still forming words but full of expression, makes the whole house feel alive. She's become the unexpected glue that has truly brought our family together.Don had accepted my relationship with his father, but in those early days after the wedding, he still spent most of his time with his best friend.He was trying to adjust to this
MAISIEThe moment we appeared, the guests rose to their feet, turning to watch our approach.I saw familiar faces on both sides of the aisle—colleagues from work, parents from Don's school.Miriam stood in the front row, her pregnancy now visible beneath her flowing dress, tears already streaming down her face as she clutched Nathan's hand.But my eyes were drawn inexorably to Jason, waiting for me beneath the arch.The look on his face as he watched me approach… wonder, joy, love so intense it was almost painful to witness made everything else fade away.In that moment, it was just the two of us, connected by an invisible thread that had been drawing us together since our first meeting.Don and I moved slowly down the aisle, each step bringing me closer to my future. The weight of my son's arm beneath my hand was both grounding and symbolic. He wasn't just giving me away; he was walking with me into our new life.When we reached the front, the officiant smiled warmly at us. "Who give
MAISIEThe moment I stepped on the back porch, the world seemed to pause. Across the lawn where rows of white chairs arranged in a semicircle. Wildflowers in shades of blue, purple, and white lined the aisle—the same flowers that grew naturally along the stream at the property's edge, now woven into garlands that transformed our backyard into an enchanted garden.Jason squeezed my hand once before releasing it. Then he moved ahead to take his place at the simple arch we'd constructed from twisted branches and adorned with more wildflowers and fairy lights that would twinkle as evening approached.His best man, Klay, stood beside him, while Felix and the rest of Jason’s friends lingered a few feet away. Dressed in sleek black silk suits, they exuded an air of refined elegance, each one strikingly handsome in their own way.I took a deep breath, steadying myself in the quiet moment before everything would begin.The subtle scent of my bouquet—wildflowers mixed with sprigs of lavender—he
MAISIEWe lay tangled together afterward.Jason’s weight was a welcome pressure on top of me and his heartbeat was strong against my chest, gradually slowing to match my own.My ring caught the candlelight and sent prisms dancing across his sweat-dampened skin like tiny rainbows that seemed a fitting metaphor for the joy that filled me.Eventually, Jason shifted to the side and gathered me on him so that my head rested on his chest with his arm a protective band around my waist.Outside, the night had deepened, but inside our sanctuary, time seemed suspended in amber like the honey that still faintly flavored our kisses."When did you plan all this?" I asked, tracing idle patterns through the light dusting of hair on his chest.His fingers combed through my hair, gentle and soothing, occasionally working through tangles with careful attention. "I bought the ring before our trip to Greendale," he admitted, the rumble of his voice vibrating against my ear.I nodded.Tears slipped from t