MAISIE"I was hoping I might request an actual leave of absence then. Not for myself, but...to spend some dedicated time with my son…”The words hung between us, thick with unspoken tension.I saw a muscle ticking in Klay's jaw as he appraised me with those dark, unreadable eyes of his. He didn't seem to get what I was really saying. "Spend more time with your son? Don't you two already live together?"I wiped at the back of my flushed neck, feeling awkward and exposed under his scrutiny. "Mr. Woods, it's...it's not that simple. I don't sleep well at night, I'm always exhausted during the day from running around like a headless chicken. I don't take care of my own health because I'm constantly rushing from one thing to the next. I'm neglecting myself, but I absolutely refuse to neglect my son or be a bad mother to him." I took a deep, steadying breath. "I want to use this chance to actually make some real memories with Donovan before it's too late and he's all grown up, you know?"Kla
MAISIEKarina helped pull me back to my feet, her perfectly groomed brows knitted together in an expression that looked a whole lot more like malice than concern. "What on earth were you two up to out here?" she demanded, her tone accusatory.I opened and closed my mouth like a landed fish, at a complete loss for words to explain the compromising position she'd just walked in on. Thankfully, Jason smoothly covered for us with an easy lie. "We were just discussing a case study for work," he said nonchalantly, not missing a beat.Karina seemed to accept that flimsy excuse with a curt nod, the suspicious glint fading from her eyes. "Ah, I see. Well anyway, I'm beat after today so we'll head out first. Come along, Jason." She looped her arm through his and tugged him toward the door, leaving me to trail awkwardly behind them.As soon as they were gone, I re-entered the house and made a beeline straight for the living room, needing to put some distance between myself and that incredibly te
Maisie"If working for me at the company is going to be a problem for you, I'll have to let you go," Dame stated coolly, her voice as crisp and emotionless as the pristine white pantsuit she wore.I quickly backtracked, not wanting to lose my job over a silly formality. "No, no problem at all! We can definitely speak informally if that's what you'd prefer," I rushed to assure her, waving my hands placatingly.She gave a curt nod of approval, her perfectly coiffed hair not so much as shifting with the abrupt movement. "Good, because I want your help with something important," she said briskly."Oh? Sure, what is it?" I asked, setting my untouched glass of lemonade down on the table to give her my full, undivided attention. This whole situation was bizarre enough already without any distractions.Dame didn't bother with any preamble or lead-in, just went straight for the jugular. "How did you make Klay fall for you?" she asked point-blank.I felt my face flush hot with a confusing embar
MAISIE"When exactly do you plan on putting a ring on my baby brother's finger?" Garam demanded without any lead-in, her eyes boring into mine with an unsettling intensity that made me squirm.I gaped at her, certain I had to have misheard that. "E-excuse me? What the heck do you mean by that?" I sputtered, completely thrown by her blunt question.She leaned forward, not giving an inch. "Don't take this the wrong way or anything, but you're holding Philip back from truly living his best life," she stated flatly. "He's a big shot in his career and all, sure, but an utter failure when it comes to his personal life. As his sister, I just want what's best for my little bro, you know? And what's best is for you to cut him loose already. Get out of his life completely so he can finally find a woman who truly loves him and is willing to make that commitment to marriage and family."The words felt like a harsh slap to the face, stinging more than I cared to admit. I hadn't been expecting...th
MAISIEIt took me a moment to recognize him through my teary mess. "J-Jason?" I choked out in disbelief.He came around the front of his fancy car, hands casually tucked in the pockets of his tailored slacks as he studied me intently. "I thought I must have been seeing things," his deep, rumbly voice sounded more amused than anything. "What're you doing out here all alone at this hour?"I opened my mouth to respond, but he reached out with one hand to grasp my chin lightly before tilting my face up to meet his piercing gaze. "Why're your eyes so red and puffy?” he asked, quirking a brow.That simple question was the final straw that shattered what little composure I had left. I burst into fresh, gasping sobs.Jason's brows knit together with concern and crouched down beside me, one hand settling on my shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Hey now, what's all this waterworks about?" he murmured, giving me a gentle squeeze. "C'mon, talk to me."I tried my best to explain between hiccuping
MAISIEI determinedly avoided meeting his eyes. The way Jason could get under my skin so effortlessly was unnerving as hell.He eventually slowed the car and pulled up in front of his place - a stately brick home that just screamed "old money". "Well, here we are. Home sweet home," he announced in that deep, rumbly voice of his."Oh..." I blinked and peered out the window at the darkened façade, suddenly feeling awkward. "I, um, I guess I should get going then. Thank you for the ride, Jason." I reached for the door handle, fully expecting him to just let me out so I could slink off into the night."Any time," he replied, and his tone was warm and sincere enough that it made me pause.Then the playful glint returned to his dark eyes, adding with a roguish smirk, "Though you may want to stick around for a bit."I frowned at him, instantly on guard. "Why's that?" I asked warily.Rather than answer directly, Jason reached across me to grab the door handle on my side...and pulled. And pull
MAISIE"W-what are you doing?" I stammered, feeling my cheeks heat up as he leaned in close enough for his warm breath to fan over my flushed face.Jason simply hummed instead of replying. His eyes roved over my features with an intensity that made me want to squirm, pinning me in place.My palms came up to rest against the solid wall of his chest in a flimsy attempt to put some distance between us. "Jason stop before you do something...perverted," I managed, proud that my voice only wavered a little despite the way my heart was jackhammering.One of his brows quirked upwards and then he shocked me by reaching behind me to press some hidden button I hadn't noticed before.The sound of the car doors suddenly unlocking echoed loudly in the confined space, making me jump.My jaw dropped, equal parts stunned and embarrassed by my own depraved thoughts about what he might have been planning.Jason threw his head back with a rich, full-bodied laugh at my dumbfounded expression. He gently
MAISIEJason’s warmth enveloped me, the steady thump of his heartbeat grounding me in the moment."I didn't hurt you of my own free will, you know," he said suddenly in a voice low and rough. "I was forced to. I was living on the edge back then, everything I clung to pushed me closer and closer to the abyss." He paused. "I couldn't hold onto anyone or anything – I was constantly losing my grip, so there was no point in even trying..."I peered up at him through my lashes, aching at the pain I saw etched in his handsome face."Are you saying you hurt me because our whole marriage was a mistake and you couldn't stay because you weren't proud of what you did to me?" I supplied softly when he trailed off.His jaw ticked, but he gave a short nod of confirmation. "There's something you can't understand," he said gruffly. "The feeling of giving your whole life trying to please someone you look up to as a role model. I spent half my damn life trying and trying to make that person proud, but n
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