SelenaI had long walked away from Angel, my heart heavy with pain and betrayal. Tears streamed down my face as I found myself sitting on a bench in a quiet corner of Paris, the city I once associated with love and happiness now tainted by the shattered fragments of my trust.Part of me wanted to pick up my phone and call my father, to seek solace and guidance in his comforting voice. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. The thought of burdening him with my heartbreak, knowing that he would blame himself for my pain, was unbearable. I couldn't bear to see him suffer because of my poor judgment.Instead, a name flashed through my mind, Misha. Yeah, my ex-boyfriend, someone I had loved deeply before Angel came into my life. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if reaching out to him was the right decision. But in that moment of vulnerability, I craved familiarity and someone who had once known me so intimately.Taking a deep breath, I dialed Misha's number, my hands trembling slightly. The
AngelI had arrived back in Russia, As I stepped into my grand mansion, a sense of familiarity washed over me, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to revel in the opulence and luxury that surrounded me. But deep down, a gnawing unease lingered, fueled by the absence of Selena.I had lied to Heaven, telling her that Selena had important work to attend to in Paris. My heart twisted as I recalled her innocent, tear-stained face, her small voice filled with longing as she whispered, "I miss Mommy, Daddy." I had brushed her off, claiming that Selena would return soon, but the guilt tugged at my conscience.Just as I was about to drown in the depths of my self-deception, my phone rang, jolting me from my thoughts. Nikolai's name flashed on the screen, and a surge of anticipation coursed through me. I answered the call, my voice carefully measured."What is it, Nikolai?" I asked, trying to keep the tremor of anxiety at bay."Sir, I have news regarding Selena," Nikolai's voice sounded co
SelenaI hate myself. I believed Angel loved me with all his heart, and yet, I was foolish enough to fall for his lies and deceit. The pain that resided within me was unbearable, like a dagger twisting in my chest, a constant reminder of the shattered trust and broken dreams.Leaving Heaven behind was the hardest part. She was my everything, the beacon of light in my darkest days. It tore me apart to be separated from her, but I knew it was necessary. Heaven deserved a life free from the toxicity of our failed marriage, and I had to find the strength to rebuild myself.As I found solace in the comforting presence of my friend Misha, the wounds inflicted by Angel seemed to ache a little less. Misha had always been there for me, even in the past when we were together as a couple. I could never forget his past transgressions, but I had forgiven him, and now he was extending his care and support once more.Sitting in Misha's cozy living room, surrounded by familiar warmth, I couldn't help
Selena A month has passed since the painful divorce from Angel, and the ache in my heart still lingers. The absence of Heaven, my precious daughter, weighs heavily on my mind. It was a decision I had to make, believing that she deserved a life free from the toxicity of our failed marriage. But the emptiness in my arms is a constant reminder of the sacrifice I had to endure.In the midst of my grief and longing, my father came forward with a plan to help me find a new purpose. He suggested that I finish my studies abroad in the United States, focusing on business, with the hope that I would eventually take over his company. It was a chance for me to explore a different path, to immerse myself in something other than the painful memories of my past.So, with a mix of trepidation and hope, I boarded a plane that would carry me across the ocean to a land of new opportunities. As the aircraft soared through the sky, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement, a glimmer of anticipatio
Selena I took a deep breath as I entered the classroom, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. It was my first day of classes at the unfamiliar university, and I was hoping to make new connections and find my place in this new environment. I and Channel had come together and we share different classes, how sad. As I looked around the room, searching for an empty seat, my eyes landed on a girl wearing a hijab. She had a warm smile on her face, and there was something about her that drew me in. Without hesitating, I approached her and asked, "Is this seat taken?"Ariel looked up from her book and smiled warmly. "No, it's not. Please, have a seat. I'm Ariel, by the way.""Thank you, Ariel. I'm Selena," I replied, feeling a sense of relief as I settled into the chair beside her.The professor walked into the classroom, signaling the beginning of the lecture. As the class progressed, Ariel and I exchanged occasional glances and smiles, building a sense of friendship without utterin
SelenaI still can't believe I've spent a whole month here at this university. Time has flown by, and it feels like just yesterday I was nervously entering that classroom on my first day. But now, things have changed. I've made new friends, bonded with Channel and Ariel, and found a sense of belonging in this unfamiliar environment.Today is not a school day, which means we have some free time to relax and have fun. Channel, Ariel, and I decided to go to the movie theater to catch the latest release. It's a perfect opportunity to unwind and enjoy each other's company outside the academic setting.As we enter the theater, the air is filled with excitement and anticipation and the scent of popcorn. We purchase our tickets and make our way to the snack counter, indulging in some popcorn and soda. The three of us find seats together, chatting animatedly about the movie and how excited we are to watch it. Channel was more excited than we were. The lights dim, and the movie begins. It's a
Selena I had woken up an hour ago and I was in the kitchen, whisking the batter for the waffles. The aroma of vanilla and butter filled the air, making my stomach growl with anticipation. It was a Sunday morning, and I wanted to make a special breakfast for Channel and me, a gesture to show my appreciation for our growing friendship.As I poured the batter onto the hot griddle, the sizzle and the sight of golden waffles forming brought a smile to my face. Breakfast had always been a comforting ritual for me, a time to nourish both the body and the soul. And today, it felt even more special, knowing that I would be sharing this meal with Channel. Making waffles reminded me of Heaven and I wondered how she was doing. Just as the last waffle was cooking, I heard a muffled voice from the hallway. It was Channel, still half asleep and groaning about being woken up. I chuckled softly, knowing exactly how much she loved her sleep.I walked to her room and gently knocked on her door. "Chann
Selena The next day arrived, and as the sunlight streamed through my window, I woke up feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Channel, always the early riser during school days, hurriedly left for school, leaving me to get ready at my own pace.As I arrived at school, I met up with Ariel in our shared class. She greeted me with a worried expression on her face, and I could tell something was amiss. I leaned in closer, eager to hear what had transpired."Ariel, what's wrong? You look troubled," I asked, concern lacing my voice.Ariel sighed, her voice filled with frustration. "Selena, you won't believe what happened today. Our history teacher was in a foul mood and decided to give us a surprise test. He walked into the class and gave us only thirty minutes to prepare. It was chaos!"My heart skipped a beat at the thought of an unexpected test, but I took a deep breath, finding solace in my faith. "Don't worry, Ariel. Let's have faith and do our best. We've studied hard, and wi
Epilogue Selena Closing the bedroom door behind us, Angel and I prepared to settle into the comforting embrace of sleep. Our nightly ritual of winding down often turned into moments of reflection and shared thoughts."Selena," Angel began, a soft smile playing on his lips, "can we talk for a bit? About Heaven."I nodded, sensing the depth of his emotions. "Of course, Angel. What's on your mind?"He took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and emotion. "I just wanted to thank you, Selena. For everything you've done for Heaven. She's so happy, and it's all because of you."I reached for his hand, a reassuring gesture. "Angel, she's our daughter. I love her as much as you do."He chuckled, a hint of tears glistening in his eyes. "I know, but you've been more than a stepmother. You've been a guiding force, a source of love and stability in her life. I can't express how grateful I am."I pulled him into a gentle embrace. "It's been a joy raising Heaven with you. She's a
Heaven Back home, the news of our impending parenthood was met with overwhelming joy. Chase, bursting with excitement, took charge of sharing the news with our families and close friends.He called his dad first, the anticipation evident in his voice. "Dad, you won't believe it. Heaven and I are going to have a baby!"His dad's voice, a mix of surprise and delight, echoed through the phone. "Chase, that's incredible news! I can't wait to be a grandfather. When's the little one due?"Chase grinned, "A few months from now. We wanted to share the joy with you."After sharing the news with his dad, Chase turned to me, a glint of happiness in his eyes. "Heaven, this is amazing. Our families are going to be over the moon."As we informed my family, the reactions ranged from tears of joy to exclamations of excitement. My dad, already fond of Chase, couldn't hide his happiness. "Heaven, my dear, this is wonderful news. Chase, you're going to make a fantastic father."Chase, ever the doting p
Heaven The sun painted the sky in hues of pink and gold as I stood at the altar, the soft rustle of petals beneath my feet. Chase, looking dashing in his tailored suit, stood beside me. Today marked the culmination of our journey—the day we took our vows and embraced a future together.As the ceremony unfolded, the air buzzed with excitement. The vows we exchanged echoed through the venue, a declaration of love that resonated with every guest. The solemnity of the moment mingled with the joy that radiated from our smiles.Chase's eyes met mine, and in that shared gaze, I found reassurance and love. We sealed our promises with a kiss, a moment captured by the flurry of camera shutters and the cheers of our loved ones.The news reporters, eager to capture the essence of our unconventional love story, approached us. Microphones in hand, they bombarded us with questions. "Heaven, how does it feel to marry under such unique circumstances?"I chuckled, the surreal nature of our story evide
Chase The agony of losing Heaven, the fear that gripped my heart, was an indescribable torment. Every step I took in the desperate search for her felt like an eternity, my mind haunted by the possibility of a future without her. But against all odds, a lead emerged, a beacon of hope that guided me to an old, desolate warehouse near the seaside.With my gons by my side, we cautiously approached the abandoned structure. The air hung heavy with tension as I gripped the handle of my gun, determined to rescue Heaven from the clutches of the darkness that had consumed Eden.Entering the warehouse, my heart pounded in my chest as I navigated through the eerie silence. The creaking of the floor beneath my feet was a haunting melody, underscoring the urgency of the mission. And then, there she was – tied to a chair, her head bleeding. Rage surged through me, and I moved swiftly to untie her, my hands trembling with a mix of fear and determination."Heaven," I whispered, my voice choked with e
Heaven The darkness surrounding me felt suffocating, and the sound of distant waves became a disorienting reminder of the uncertainty that now enveloped my existence. Panic surged as I realized I was bound to a chair, my wrists secured tightly. The air was heavy with the salty scent of the sea, a cruel juxtaposition to the fear gnawing at my core.In the oppressive silence, the approach of a presence sent shivers down my spine. The footsteps drew nearer, and when the mask covering my eyes was suddenly ripped away, I squinted against the sudden onslaught of light. As my eyes adjusted, the familiar contours of Eden's face came into focus."Eden?" I stammered, confusion clouding my thoughts. "What's happening? Where am I?"Eden's gaze, once warm and familiar, now held an intensity that unsettled me. He spoke with a conviction that sent chills down my spine. "Heaven, I can't let you marry Chase. I love you, and I won't stand by and watch you make a mistake."The shock of his words hit me
ChaseOur days in the Bahamas had come to an end, and the reality of Heaven's decision to marry me for the sake of saving my life lingered in the air. As we sat together on the flight back to Italy, the hum of the engines providing a backdrop to our conversation, I couldn't help but feel a mix of gratitude and apprehension."Heaven," I began, breaking the silence that hung between us, "I still can't believe you're willing to go through with this. It means a lot to me."She looked at me with a reassuring smile, her eyes reflecting a blend of determination and compassion. "Chase, we're in this together. I want you to have a chance at a healthy life, and if this is what it takes, then I'm all in."I nodded, a sense of warmth filling me. "I appreciate that, Heaven. It's not an easy decision for either of us, but knowing you're by my side makes it a bit more bearable."Our conversation shifted to the practicalities of our impending marriage—how we would approach our families, explain the s
Heaven I rushed into the bathroom, my heart pounding as I found Chase on the floor, unconscious. "Chase! Wake up!" I shouted, my voice trembling with fear.Panicking, I grabbed my phone, hastily dialing Eden and Daven. "Guys, get over here now! Something's wrong with Chase!" I could hear the urgency in my own voice, a stark contrast to the carefree moments we had shared just the day before.Eden's voice crackled through the phone. "We're on our way, Heaven. Just hold on."I knelt beside Chase, gently tapping his cheek. "Come on, Chase. Wake up!" The seconds felt like an eternity as I waited for any sign of response.The door burst open as Eden and Daven rushed in. Eden's eyes widened in shock. "What happened?""I don't know," I stammered. "He was fine last night. I just found him like this."Daven, always composed, checked Chase's pulse. "We need to get him to the hospital. Now."As we hurriedly gathered our belongings, panic and worry hung heavy in the air. The vibrant energy of t
Heaven's POV:The anticipation for our Bahamas trip bubbled within me as we all got ready to embark on this unexpected adventure. Packing seemed like an endless task, yet I couldn't help but throw in a variety of outfits, just in case the tropical paradise demanded a change in wardrobe.As we boarded the flight, the atmosphere was surprisingly light. Eden's infectious energy, Daven's calm demeanor, and Chase's unexpected humor created an air of camaraderie I hadn't experienced before. Laughter echoed through the plane as we played games and shared stories, each moment weaving a tapestry of connection among us.I caught glimpses of a different side of Chase—his genuine laughter, the way he effortlessly joined in the banter, and the unexpected comfort of his arm around me when a particularly funny moment struck. It was as if the underworld chaos had momentarily given way to a more relaxed version of ourselves.Upon landing in the Bahamas, the warmth embraced us, a stark contrast to the
Chase's POV:I woke up to find Heaven in the kitchen, her expression a mix of exhaustion and something else. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on."Rough night?" I asked, trying to sound casual.She shrugged. "Just the usual chaos. Nothing I can't handle."I leaned against the kitchen counter. "You know, Heaven, you don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Sometimes it's okay to let someone else share the burden."She shot me a skeptical look. "And who would that someone be? You?"I smirked. "Hey, I'm not as bad as you make me out to be. Besides, you might be surprised at how good I am at lightening the mood."She raised an eyebrow. "Lightening the mood, or causing more chaos?"I chuckled. "A bit of both, perhaps. But seriously, Heaven, you don't have to be so guarded all the time. We're in this together, right?"She sighed. "In this together, until the next betrayal or twist of fate. That's how it goes, Chase."I decided to change the subject, opting for