An hour later, we arrived on campus, and I was grateful to have survived the drive without any major incidents. Now, I faced the daunting task of finding childcare before I wrote my last paper. I had my hand on my waist as I stood in the middle of the parking lot, staring into space."Why the hell did I lie that I had someone who could help me watch the kids! Now I'm stuck with three tiny terrors and a looming deadline," I muttered to myself as I glanced around, hoping to spot a miracle solution, perhaps Helen, who I had called earlier and somewhat explained my situation. I hoped she would come to my aid.I watched as students rushed to class, some studying in groups. Lucky them.Meanwhile, the kids, sensing my frustration, began to get restless."Sarah, I'm hungry!" Elizabeth complained, tugging on my hand."Me too!" Hayden and Harper chimed in, their voices rising in unison.Now my sanity was hanging by a thread!My face turned beet red as I turned to the three of them. "YOU ALL JUS
XAVIER'S POV I walked into the house, expecting a flurry of noises. Instead, I was greeted by an oppressive silence. I was certain Sarah and the kids were already home, and from the looks of it, the children weren't the quiet type. So why did the place seem like a graveyard? As I entered the living room, I found Sarah lying on the couch. As soon as she noticed me, she sat up and smiled softly. "Hey." I raised an eyebrow. "Hey. How was your day?" Sarah shook her head, and I could sense the stories she'd tell and the frustration palpable no matter how she tried to conceal it. "The day was great. And it will continue to be so," she replied as I sat beside her, and upon hearing her optimism, I stared at her skeptically. "Stop pretending." She chuckled, finally admitting to the fact. "Yeah, I survived," she replied, laughing. "Barely. My friends helped me, and if you're wondering, I already put them to sleep." That could explain why the house was so quiet. I searched Sarah
As I settled into the couch, my mind began to wander back to that fateful day."I remember waking up in the hospital," I started, my voice barely above a whisper. "I saw the doctor; it happened to be one of my colleagues at college."Sarah's eyes locked onto mine, encouraging me to continue.FLASHBACK TEN YEARS AGOI slowly opened my eyes, grogginess clouding my mind. The beeping of machines and antiseptic smell assaulted my senses. But then a faint memory of a crash, screams, and shattered glass lingered, clouding me, and the pain, shock was still palpable."Xavier...""Xavier.""XAVIER! Can you hear me?" A doctor's face hovered above me, his expression somber.I tried to speak, but my voice was hoarse. I cleared my throat, wincing in pain. "What... what happened? Where's my wife?""You were in a car accident," he interrupted me, his voice firm but gentle. "Your wife survived, but I'm afraid she's in critical condition. She's being prepped for surgery as we speak."My mind reeled, pa
"Daddy... why are you crying?" I froze under Sarah's embrace as I locked eyes with one of the twins. Beside her, her sister—probably Harper or Hayden; I hadn't really learned to differentiate them—stood with equal concern. Sarah pulled away and quickly wiped the tears from her eyes, turning to the girls. "Hey, I told you not to leave your room. Why are you still up?" She tried to sound stern, but her voice trembled. The twins didn't flinch. Instead, they stepped closer, their little hands clasped together. What they did next caught me off guard. Together, they wrapped their arms around my waist tightly and comfortingly. Sarah and I exchanged surprised glances, both of us touched by the twins' empathy. "It's okay, Dad," Harper (or Hayden) said softly. "We're here for you." The other twin nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we are here for you." I felt a lump form in my throat as I hugged them back, holding onto their bodies like they were my lifeline. Sarah smiled warmly, her eyes
As I lay in bed, my mind raced with questions. What had driven Nicole to escape? Who was this man who had haunted her? I continued replaying the conversation with the kids and couldn't shake off the dreadful feeling.The kids didn't really know much apart from Nicole's husband trying to hurt both them, and it seems she had to take drastic measures to protect them and herself. Was putting them in a box worth it? Or perhaps it got to the point where she had to do something like that, or was she trying to hide them?I tossed and turned, my thoughts consumed by the unknown, and this puzzle that Nicole had left us to piece together was really unsettling, and the only way I could get answers was to find her. But Sarah's words echoed in my mind: "Maybe Nicole had an abusive marriage."I shuddered at the thought. Had Nicole been trapped in a nightmare that she had been forced to flee for her life?I really hoped not, but that speculation only fueled my determination to find her.Just as I thr
SARAH'S POV "Come on, girls! Daddy has agreed to take us all out for SHOPPING!" I announced, practically bouncing with excitement. Being with these kids for the past few days had made me feign enthusiasm, but sometimes it really made me eager to communicate with them. It was a conflicting emotion I had to deal with, and I think I was getting the hang of it. As for Xavier, it made him feel like a complete father, filling a void he never knew existed. I watched as the girls squealed in delight, their eyes sparkling with anticipation. Elizabeth jumped up from the couch, her little hands clapping together. "Yay! Daddy's taking us shopping!" Hayden, on the other hand, looked up at me with a mischievous grin. "Does this mean we get treats too?" I chuckled, scooping Elizabeth into a hug. "Of course, baby girl! We'll get all the treats you want." "Finally, I get to pick what I want to wear!" Harper rolled her eyes dramatically. Yeah, I knew it was Harper speaking,it was obvious fro
A few months had passed since the unforgettable shopping trip with Xavier and the girls. Our lives had settled into a comfortable routine, filled with laughter, love, and occasional chaos. The girls were thriving, and Xavier's paternal instincts had grown stronger. Our relationship had blossomed, and I'd never felt more at home. But amidst the tranquility, a lingering question remained: what had happened to Nicole? The mystery had haunted Xavier, and I knew he couldn't shake off the feeling of responsibility. I stood beside Xavier in our living room after we had just escorted the private investigator, Keith, out the door. Today's update was the same: no exact news of Nicole's whereabouts but trails she left behind. She had been moving from one hotel to another for the last couple of months and had never settled in one location for more than two days. It felt frustrating, like we were chasing shadows. Xavier's eyes, once filled with determination, now seemed laced with disappointmen
Xavier's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"I pointed to the photo. "The blue eyes, the resemblance to Elizabeth... and her behavior at the door. She seemed nervous, like she was checking to see if you were home.""Wait, wait, Sarah, hold on." He interrupted me, still confused as he rushed over to my side. "At the door? What do you mean, who came to the door?"Oh. I really didn't mention that.I mentally facepalmed myself and took a deep breath. "A woman stopped by earlier," I said, and went on to explain her every behavior, all the while Xavier's expression transformed from confusion to surprise. "She came? I think this is my only chance to find her."I nodded. "She came to see you, but when she saw me, she seemed disappointed and used a fake story about a blind date."Xavier pulled out his phone. "I'll call Keith. We need to track her down."As Xavier dialed Keith's number, the kids' arguing continued in the background, oblivious to the bombshell that had just dropped.
A month had passed since we left Paris. Our little family had settled into a cozy villa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Well, we moved in for the wedding, actually. Now, standing in front of the mirror, I smoothed out my lace wedding gown. My heart fluttered as I thought of Xavier waiting for me at the altar. "Sarah, you look stunning," my maid of honor said, adjusting my veil. Who else would it be? It's my best friend, Helen. I smiled, feeling like a princess. The ceremony was intimate, with only close friends and family attending. "Hey, kiddo." A voice interrupted my thoughts, bringing a smile to my face. "The guests are waiting. Are you just gonna sit there and admire yourself?" Juniper appeared at the door, crossing her arms and wearing a feigned frown on her face. Juniper had helped out with the wedding planning; she even brought her kids along. Although I was grateful for her expertise, her planning ways exceeded Xavier's budget, but he didn't complain. "Juniper, you'
SARAH'S POV "About what!" I snapped, my eyes blazing. Xavier held my shoulders to placate me, but I was beyond reasoning. My baby was at risk because of him, and he was lucky nothing happened to him or her. If something had happened, I would have... I stopped and forced myself to stay calm when I noticed my father's soft gaze.He leaned against the wall without speaking, letting me pour out my anger. Only when I was done did he finally speak. "I meant to say..." He hesitated, glancing at Xavier. "I'm... sorry."It was as if he forced those words right out of his mouth.I looked away, breaking eye contact, and Xavier gently stroked my shoulder again."Sarah, calm down. Don't stress yourself out, okay?"Yeah, I'm pregnant. I shouldn't stress myself out.I flashed him a soft smile and leaned on his shoulders, making sure to avoid eye contact with my father."Sarah, I'm happy for you," my father continued, despite my bad attitude. "Now that there's nothing else I can do, you're free to l
My eyes widened in shock as I found Sarah lying on the bed, pale and motionless. In an instant, my heart sank, and my world crumbled around me."Sarah?" I whispered, approaching her cautiously.My legs felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot, but I forced myself to move closer. William's presence faded into the background, irrelevant to the only thing that mattered – Sarah.I gently sat beside her, my hand reaching out to brush away the strands of hair clinging to her forehead. Her skin felt cold and clammy."Sarah," I whispered, my voice trembling.Her eyelids fluttered open, and our gazes met. For a moment, I saw a glimmer of recognition, a spark of life.But it was fleeting.Her eyes, once bright and full of laughter, now seemed dull and lifeless."Sarah, please," I begged, my voice cracking. "Talk to me.""Sarah!" William, who had finally broken out of his stupor, rushed over to her side, shaking her gently, completely disregarding my presence.Then he froze, staring at Sarah, as the
XAVIER'S POV"Daddy, when is Sarah coming back?" Elizabeth had asked after I had watched as William's car disappeared, taking Sarah away from me. My heart felt like it had been ripped out. I couldn't believe I had to let her go.But I knew it was necessary. William's anger and determination to keep us apart were palpable.I crouched down to meet Elizabeth's height, her big brown eyes filled with concern. "Soon, sweetie. Sarah needs to go for now." I offered a reassuring smile."Where's William, her dad?" Harper chimed in, her brow furrowing. "Did the two of them leave?"I glanced up at Harper, who stood beside Hayden, his expression serious as if they were interrogating me.I let out a sigh and tried to simplify the truth. "Like I said, they're gone, but—" I was interrupted by Elizabeth whining. Her face scrunched up. "Why did Sarah leave without telling us? This is so unlike her."I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "Sometimes, grown-ups need to figure things out. She
With my curiosity piqued, I got off the bed and made my way to the door. Walking down the hallway, the sound of heels clinking on the floor grew louder, making me even more curious about who had come to visit. Ever since I moved in, we’ve never had visitors, and that thought only fueled my curiosity.I entered the living room only to find a woman and my father walking from the door. My father’s gentle smile was a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the air moments before.Seriously? So I am the only downer here who won't get what she wants. I scoffed and quietly strode towards them.My eyes remained fixed on the lady, and I couldn’t help but keep my mouth wide open as I saw her intimate with my father. Her lips were pressed against my father's, and he responded with equal fervor, completely oblivious to my presence.So he has a girlfriend in Paris, huh?Way to go, Father; only you deserve happiness.I felt a mix of disgust and betrayal surging through me. I’ve learned to use
"Welcome to my humble abode. Don't you like the view?" My father's cheerful voice cut through my thoughts. Again. He kept interrupting my moping with his unnecessary small talk and fake enthusiasm. Can't he see I'm still reeling from the pain he's caused?I forced a glance around the luxurious penthouse apartment, trying to appear unimpressed. To be honest, it was quite breathtaking, but I wouldn't say it."It's nice, Father," I said flatly, my voice devoid of enthusiasm.My father's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered."I'm glad you like it. You'll be comfortable—""Cut the small talk,I wasn't done talking." I spat, cutting him off. I chuckled, still glancing around. "It's just that it's missing something."My father, sensing my fake enthusiasm, leaned close with a smile. "What do you think is missing?"A mischievous grin spread across my face as I replied, "My happiness."My father's smile froze, his eyes widening, caught off guard by my true intention."Sarah, co
I turned and walked away, leaving Xavier behind. My father's suffocating grip on my arm guided me toward the car. I felt numb, my heart heavy. As we drove away, I glanced back at the duplex, the building fading away. There wasn't any sight of Xavier, and it hurt to sense he was giving up. Or isn't he? I really don’t know. I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to the girls; they would be devastated when they wake up without me beside them. This can't be happening. "We're going to Paris, Sarah. You'll be safe there. We're better off without him." My father's voice cut through my thoughts. His words felt like acid in my throat. I turned to him, my face twisted in a mix of anger and desperation. "Safe from what, Father?" I demanded. My father's expression remained unyielding. "From Xavier. From his influence on you." I felt a surge of indignation. "You don't even know him," I spat. "And you claim he is your best friend." My father's grip on the steering wheel tighte
SARAH'S POV"Father, what are you doing!" I rushed over to Xavier's side and cupped his cheek, blood trickling out of his nose. My eyes locked onto my father's scrunched-up face, his eyes blazing with fury."Get away from him, Sarah!" he growled.But I stood firm, my heart racing. "You're hurting him!" I pleaded, my eyes welling up. "How could you do this, Father?"Xavier's eyes fluttered open, and he winced."Sarah, I'm fine," he whispered.My father's face twisted in disgust."Don't talk to her, Xavier. You've done enough damage."I felt a surge of anger. I never expected this kind of reaction from him."That's not true! I did the damage!" I said, my voice firm as I walked towards him. "It was me who fell for him first, so if you're angry, then pour it on me."My father's gaze snapped back to me, and I could see the disappointment and hurt in his eyes."Sarah, I didn't expect this from... both of you," he said, his voice soft with a layer of pain and betrayal. "I trusted him."I sto
WILLIAM'S POVI didn't know what was taking Xavier so long to open the door after telling me he would open it in a minute. A minute had turned into an eternity."Xavier!" I called again, attempting to knock on the door again, but it opened, revealing Xavier's wry smile."Hey," he said, scratching the back of his head. "Why are you here?"My brow furrowed. "Didn't you hear what I said? I said I need help. That's why I came. Now will you let me come in?" I said and gently pushed him out of the way, letting myself in.I tossed the towel I was holding onto his bed and turned to meet his surprised, perhaps shocked, expression."Why are you here with the towel?" he asked, chuckling."Sorry for disturbing you. I wanted to take a late-night bath, but my water system isn't working," I explained, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, despite the curiosity brewing inside me."Water system's out? Figured I'd use yours. Hope that's okay."Xavier's raised eyebrow and amused smile hinted that h