MAISIE"I noticed you didn't object to all the touching that happened between you two," Jason’s voice sounded much closer than I expected, laced with an undercurrent of accusation.I spun around, startled to find him standing just a few feet away. "What do you mean?" I asked cautiously.He closed the distance between us in two strides and his larger hand engulfed mine in a firm grasp. "You know exactly what I mean," he said in a low rumble.I tried to pacify him by squeezing his hand. "Philip and I are just friends now, Jason. There's nothing for you to get upset about."He squeezed back, his voice taking on a rough, brutally honest edge. "I want to hug you as violently as my feelings for you when I'm jealous. Don't let him touch you like that again!"His blunt words stunned me into silence. Part of me wished I could match his frankness - just confess that I loved him still, that no one else could ever come close. But if I admitted that now, it would feel like surrendering without put
JASONJason strode through the massive double doors of his mansion, his strides long and purposeful even as the echoes of his heated confession to Maisie earlier that night still seemed to reverberate in his mind.His shoulders were tense, the hard lines of his body betraying the storm of emotions raging beneath that outwardly calm facade.The cavernous grand foyer with its over-the-top crystal chandelier and polished marble floors did absolutely nothing to soothe his foul mood as he made a beeline for his private study, every click of his shoes against the stone feeling like a hammer pounding against his skull.Once inside the dimly lit room, he closed the heavy oak door behind him with a soft click, slumping forward until his hands were braced on the edge of his desk.His gaze landed on the plain white envelope sitting there prominently atop the polished mahogany surface with the bold logo of the hospital lab printed on ii.Jason's stomach twisted into a knot just looking at the inn
KARINAMy chest heaved with ragged gasps as I clutched at my bruised neck, the sting of Jason's fingers still burning into my skin like a brand. The man I'd loved, the man I'd spent years loyally by his side building an unshakable alliance with, had just turned into a snarling beast right before my eyes - all because of her.Maisie.Even just thinking her name made it feel like a venomous curse on my lips. That woman had been nothing but a ghost, a faded relic of Jason's past that he claimed to have buried and moved on from ages ago. But now here she was, rising from the damn ashes like a phoenix to swoop in and try to snatch him away from me.Using the edge of Jason's desk for support, I dragged myself back up to my feet, my knees still feeling weak and unsteady beneath me. But it wasn't fear making me tremble - it was fury. A deep, bitter rage that clawed at my insides like a caged animal, making my heart hammer against my ribcage.Jason had humiliated me. Rejected me. Chosen her ov
KARINAThe massive crystal chandelier hanging over the center of the cavernous ballroom was glittering and sparkling like a sea of a million stars, casting a warm golden glow over the entire space. But as dazzling as the light show was, my eyes were fixed on a certain point of the exit, anxiously waiting for the one man and one man only - Jason.The moment he finally made his grand entrance through the towering double doors, an instant hush rippled through the crowd like a shockwave.Dozens of heads turned simultaneously to gawk at him.My heart did a little leap of excitement in my chest, even though part of me had doubted he would actually show his face here tonight after he nearly choked me to death in his study the previous day.But there he was in all his glory, towering over everyone else as he surveyed the scene imperiously, looking every damn inch the wealthy, powerful aristocrat he was born and bred to be.His tailored black suit was cut to perfection, hugging his broad shoul
KARINAThe first traitorous tears spilled over my lashes. He had slipped through my grasp yet again, just like all the other times before. No matter what I did, what lengths I went to, Jason always managed to deny me in the end. To deny us.I was so sick of being rejected, of being seen as less-than by him.My gaze landed on the blinking red recording light of the hidden camera I had carefully set up in the far corner of the room, and a slow, bitter smile curved my lips.Crossing over to the discreet device, I cradled it in my hands like a precious object as I replayed the footage from earlier - the heated, passionate kiss, the brief yet unmistakable moment where Jason had responded to me with eager need. His hands pulled me flush against him as he lost himself to the desire before that damnable drug haze lifted enough for him to come back to his senses and recoil from me in horror.I had it all right here. The proof that, despite his outward protests and rejections, some deep part of
MAISIEMy phone buzzing on the nightstand dragged me from the edge of sleep.I blinked groggily, fumbling for it in the dark and my eyes narrowed when I saw the name displayed on the screen."Jason?" My voice was thick with sleep, confusion lacing my words. "Do you have any idea what time it is?""Come out!" His voice was low and raw, like it had been dragged over gravel. There was no mistaking the command in his tone that left no room for argument.I sat up, clutching the blanket to my chest. "It’s late. What’s going on?""Don’t make me repeat myself, Maisie. Come. Outside. Now!" The growl in his voice sent a shiver down my spine, and before I could muster another protest, the line went dead.My heart pounded in my chest as I swung my legs out of bed, the cold floor shocking me into full wakefulness.A sense of foreboding curled in my stomach as I grabbed my robe, tying it tightly around my waist.Slipping on my slippers, I stepped out into the cool night air biting at my skin as I s
MAISIEJason’s kiss wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t sweet. It was raw and consuming, full of frustration and something far more dangerous. It was as if he wanted to leave a mark deeper than skin, carving his name into my very soul so I’d never be able to forget him.My hands curled into his shirt on instinct… a desperate attempt to find something solid as the heat of his body surrounded me. But grounding myself was impossible.Jason finally pulled back when I almost passed out from lack of oxygen. His breathing was ragged and hot against my face as he pressed his forehead to mine. His eyes… they were intense, wild, and unrelenting—locked with mine, making my stomach twist in fear and something else I didn’t dare name.“Why don’t you tell me to stop, Maisie?” His low and rough voice vibrated through me. His thumb brushed my lower lip, swollen and tender from his kiss. “Why don’t you push me away? You want this as much as I do.”“I don’t—” The words faltered as they left my lips, weak and unc
MAISIEMy heart hammered against my ribcage, each beat echoing in my ears while I drew short, shallow breaths.Jason leaned in again. His muscular torso pressed into me as his lips found mine in another passionate kiss.His taste flooded my senses, intoxicating me further.Something was definitely wrong with Jason’s behaviour right now and things would spiral out of control if I didn’t stop him. "Jason," I whispered urgently, "Something's off. You’re not thinking or acting rationally." My voice trembled with apprehension."Stop. I… I’m on my period. We shouldn’t—" I trailed off, my cheeks flushing red in embarrassment.Jason paused for a moment before letting out a dark chuckle that sent shivers down my spine. "Do you think that matters to me?" He murmured with an edge that was both thrilling and terrifying.His fingers traced a path down my arm, every touch igniting goosebumps on my skin like sparks from a fire."You’ve always been mine, Maisie," he continued huskily. "Blood doesn’
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