Chloe was just about to step out of her house when she heard a knock at the door. Confused, she called out, "Who is it?"Silence. No response.Frowning, she cautiously approached the door, her heart beginning to race. When she opened it, her eyes widened in shock."George?" she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.George stood there, a smirk playing on his lips. He looked the same but different—rougher around the edges, more intense. There was something dangerous in his gaze."Surprised to see me?" he asked with a cocky tilt to his head."What are you doing here?" Chloe’s voice was sharp, trying to mask the flutter of nerves building in her chest."Can't I come in?" he asked, his tone teasing.She hesitated, scanning his face for a sign of what he wanted. "Fine," she said stiffly, stepping aside. "Come in."George strolled into the living room, looking around as though he owned the place. Chloe closed the door and turned to face him, folding her arms defensively."What do you wan
One of them was Chloe’s—angry, sharp. The other, male, unfamiliar.Alexander’s stomach tightened. Who was with her? He quickened his steps but hesitated before reaching the door, his instincts urging caution. Instead of barging in, he moved quietly, staying hidden just out of sight. Peeking through the gap, he saw them—Chloe and a man he didn’t recognize, standing uncomfortably close to each other.The man’s voice was low but intense, carrying a weight that sent a shiver down Alexander’s spine. “You know why I’m here, Chloe,” George said, his eyes dark and full of intent. “I want my son. I want Jackson back.”Chloe’s reaction was immediate. Her laughter was harsh, sharp, and laced with disbelief. It was the kind of laugh that came not from humor, but from pure anger.“Your son?” she spat, stepping toward him with a fierceness Alexander had never seen in her before. “You mean the son I raised all by myself? The son you left behind the moment I told you I was pregnant?” Her voice rose w
Soft, rhythmic beeping medical equipment filled the room, contrasting with the sterile white walls that surrounded it. Sunlight filtered through the partially drawn curtains casting a gentle glow over the frail figure lying in the hospital bed. Amelia sat beside her grandmother, clutching her hand, feeling the coolness of her skin against her own. Margaret, Amelia's grandmother, had always been a source of strength for her. While she fought the illness that had ravaged her body, she still had a determined gleam in her eyes. She gently squeezed Amelia's hand and motioned for her to come closer. Amelia,' Margaret whispered, her voice a mere shadow of its former vibrant self. There's something important I need to tell you. Amelia's heart was heavy with dread and sorrow as she leaned in. I'm here, Grandma. What is it? Margaret took a quick breath, never letting her eyes leave her granddaughter's. “I need you to do something for me It’s my last wish and I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t so
Are you sure about this? Alexander asked, his eyes searching hers for any signs of hesitation. Amelia nodded, her resolve steady. “I am. The terms have been made clear and I think this is the appropriate move forward. Let’s do it.” Together they walked to the courthouse, surrounded by a feeling of solemnity, Upon their arrival they were greeted by a clerk who guided them through the required paperwork Amelia signed her name on the contract followed by Alexander. Officially placing the agreement was done with their signatures. Subsequently, they stood in front of a judge who scrutinized their papers and listened to their agreement Alexander Sterling and Amelia Thompson are you in favor of free and willingly entering into this marriage contract? “Yes, Your Honor,” they both replied in unison. The judge nodded, satisfied. “Very well. By the power vested in me by the state I hereby recognize this marriage contract. Congratulations to both of you.” As they exited the courthou
Amelia’s eyes widened at the news, her face a mix of surprise and confusion. “Alexander is coming back?” she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.Mark’s heart sank. This was the worst possible timing. He watched as Amelia processed the information, her mind clearly racing with thoughts of her husband’s imminent return. Any chance he had of confessing his feelings seemed to evaporate in that moment.“I... I didn’t know,” Amelia said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “He didn’t tell me anything about this.”Mark felt a sense of sympathy for her. It was clear that Alexander’s return was unexpected and had thrown her off balance. 'Amelia, are you okay? ' He gently asked, pushing aside his own feelings for the moment.She looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of emotions. I'm not sure. It's been so long since I last saw him. I don’t know what to expect.”Mark nodded, understanding her predicament. “If you need someone to talk to or just need a friend, I’m here for you,
As Alexander entered Sterling Enterprises, he was greeted by an unexpected surprise. His employees had gathered in the lobby, a banner reading "Welcome Back, Alexander!" hanging overhead. Applause and cheers filled the air as he walked in, and he couldn’t help but smile at the heartfelt reception."Welcome back, Mr. Sterling!" someone called out, and soon the chorus of greetings became overwhelming.He raised his hand to quiet the crowd, his eyes shining with appreciation. "Thank you all so much. It’s great to be back and see all of your familiar faces."One of his senior managers stepped forward, holding a bouquet of flowers. "We wanted to show you how much we’ve missed you and how happy we are to have you back."Alexander accepted the flowers, feeling genuinely touched. "Thank you. This means a lot to me."He took a moment to look around, taking in the smiles and enthusiasm of his team. It was then that he decided to show his gratitude in a tangible way. "I’ve seen the hard work you
Meanwhile, at home, Amelia tried to unwind after a long and emotionally draining day. She couldn’t shake the encounter with Alexander or the kindness Mark had shown her. The mix of emotions—hurt, anger, confusion—left her feeling exhausted.As she sat in her living room, she thought about their marriage, the time apart, and how everything seemed to change. She wondered if they could ever bridge the gap that had grown between them. The night wore on, with both Alexander and Amelia lost in their thoughts, each grappling with their own feelings of loss and longing. Alexander’s focus on his work became a refuge, a way to avoid confronting the complexities of his personal life, while Amelia sought comfort in the small moments of kindness and understanding she found in her interactions with Mark.The next morning, Alexander arrived at the office with a steely determination to bury himself in his work. He had instructed Claire to keep an eye on Amelia, hoping it would give him some semblanc
The following day, Alexander woke up with a sense of determination. The sleepless night had been spent wrestling with his thoughts about Amelia and their strained relationship. He knew he couldn’t continue avoiding the issue, and something had to change.After the morning meeting with the board of directors, he returned to his office, his mind made up. He called his personal assistant, Claire, into his office. She entered, carrying her ever-present notepad, ready to take down his instructions."Good morning, Mr. Sterling," Claire greeted him with a professional smile."Good morning, Claire," Alexander replied, his tone serious. "I need you to call Amelia and ask her to come to my office as soon as possible. Also, cancel all my meetings for today."Claire raised an eyebrow, surprised by the abrupt change in schedule. "Cancel all your meetings, sir? Are you sure? You have several important appointments lined up.""Yes, I’m sure," Alexander confirmed, his voice firm. "Tell them something
One of them was Chloe’s—angry, sharp. The other, male, unfamiliar.Alexander’s stomach tightened. Who was with her? He quickened his steps but hesitated before reaching the door, his instincts urging caution. Instead of barging in, he moved quietly, staying hidden just out of sight. Peeking through the gap, he saw them—Chloe and a man he didn’t recognize, standing uncomfortably close to each other.The man’s voice was low but intense, carrying a weight that sent a shiver down Alexander’s spine. “You know why I’m here, Chloe,” George said, his eyes dark and full of intent. “I want my son. I want Jackson back.”Chloe’s reaction was immediate. Her laughter was harsh, sharp, and laced with disbelief. It was the kind of laugh that came not from humor, but from pure anger.“Your son?” she spat, stepping toward him with a fierceness Alexander had never seen in her before. “You mean the son I raised all by myself? The son you left behind the moment I told you I was pregnant?” Her voice rose w
Chloe was just about to step out of her house when she heard a knock at the door. Confused, she called out, "Who is it?"Silence. No response.Frowning, she cautiously approached the door, her heart beginning to race. When she opened it, her eyes widened in shock."George?" she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.George stood there, a smirk playing on his lips. He looked the same but different—rougher around the edges, more intense. There was something dangerous in his gaze."Surprised to see me?" he asked with a cocky tilt to his head."What are you doing here?" Chloe’s voice was sharp, trying to mask the flutter of nerves building in her chest."Can't I come in?" he asked, his tone teasing.She hesitated, scanning his face for a sign of what he wanted. "Fine," she said stiffly, stepping aside. "Come in."George strolled into the living room, looking around as though he owned the place. Chloe closed the door and turned to face him, folding her arms defensively."What do you wan
Amelia barely heard her. All she could think about was the baby, the life growing inside her. She prayed silently that everything would be okay, that this wasn’t the end of her pregnancy, that her baby would be safe. As the hospital came into view, the driver honked the horn urgently, signaling the medical staff. By the time they pulled up to the emergency entrance, nurses and doctors were already rushing out with a stretcher. The maid quickly helped them lift Amelia out of the car and onto the stretcher. “Please… the baby…” Amelia murmured as the medical team hurried. “We’ve got you, one of the nurses said, her voice calm but firm. “We’re going to take care of you and your baby. The hospital doors swung shut behind them, leaving the maid and driver outside, watching with worried expressions as Amelia was whisked away. Alexander stormed into the hospital with a look of intense worry etched across his face. His usual calm, collected demeanor was replaced by a frantic urgency a
Amelia’s vision blurred with tears as she struggled to push herself up, but the pain in her stomach was too much. She shouted for help, her voice desperate as she lay on the floor, terrified for her unborn child. But Chloe didn’t care. She stood there, watching Amelia suffer with cold indifference. After a few moments, she turned on her heel and walked out of the house, her heels clicking against the floor as if nothing had happened. The front door slammed shut behind her, and the sound echoed in the now-empty hallway. Amelia’s cries for help echoed through the hallways. Her voice, weak but filled with desperation, finally reached the maid, who rushed into the living room. The sight of Amelia on the floor sent a chill down the maid’s spine. She dropped to her knees, her hands trembling as she gently shook Amelia. "Mrs. Amelia! Oh my God, what happened? Are you okay?" The maid’s voice was frantic as she tried to help Amelia sit up. Amelia winced as she held onto her belly, her brea
The house was quiet, a peaceful stillness that Amelia had grown to appreciate in the last few months. She sat in her bedroom, sorting through baby clothes, organizing the nursery for the little one growing inside her. Her hand rested on her round belly as she smiled softly, feeling the slight kicks of the baby. Things had been calm, and despite the tensions with Chloe still looming in the background, Amelia had felt a sense of peace in recent weeks. Suddenly, the sound of a car pulling up in the driveway snapped Amelia out of her reverie. She furrowed her brow, wondering who could be arriving at this time. Alexander was at work, and there were no deliveries scheduled for today. Curious, she pushed herself up from the bed, her movements slow and careful as her pregnancy had advanced significantly. Amelia made her way to the window and peered outside. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw an unfamiliar car parked in the driveway. The sleek, black vehicle gleamed in the sunlight, and
“Ms. Chloe,” Donovan said smoothly, his voice deep and authoritative as he gestured toward the chair in front of him. His dark eyes were locked onto hers, unwavering, assessing her from the moment she walked in. “Maya has told me about your situation. Please, have a seat.” Chloe sat down, her movements deliberate, her spine straight as if a rod was keeping her upright. “I’m glad Maya could make this happen on such short notice,” Chloe began, her voice steady. She wasn’t sure if Donovan was someone she could fully trust yet, but she knew Maya wouldn’t have connected her to anyone less than the best. Donovan waved a hand dismissively, leaning back slightly in his leather chair, exuding a calm confidence that seemed to fill the room. As if short notice and high-pressure situations were something he handled daily. “She’s a good friend,” he said, his tone even, “and she knows how to get things moving. Now, tell me exactly what you want.” Chloe took a deep breath, her mind laser-focus
Her friend had been equally shocked to learn that Amelia was pregnant. Chloe had tried to play it off like she already knew, but the truth was, she hadn’t. It stung, even if she didn’t want to admit it. The idea of Alexander starting a new family, having another child with Amelia, made her feel irrelevant, like a forgotten chapter in his life. But that was about to change. As Chloe continued to browse her phone, she wondered what Alexander would think when he found out about her plan. Would he fight back, or would he let her take Jackson without a struggle? No, she knew Alexander better than that. He would fight, but that didn’t scare her. She was ready for whatever was coming. Her hand hovered over a contact name—an old acquaintance who worked in law. She hesitated for a moment, then pressed the call button. The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered. “Hello?” the voice said, sounding surprised to hear from her. “Hey, it’s Chloe,” she said, her voice calm and col
When they finally finished their meal, Sarah gave Chloe a quick hug before they parted ways. “Take care of yourself, Chloe,” she said before disappearing down the street. Chloe stood there for a moment, watching her friend walk away, before slowly heading back to her car. Her mind was buzzing with thoughts, plans, and questions. All this time, she had been thinking about how to get back into her son’s life, how to restore her place in Alexander’s world. And now she found out that Amelia was pregnant? It changed everything. Back at home, Chloe threw her shopping bags onto the couch and sank into a chair, her mind still reeling. She hadn’t expected this. The idea of Amelia carrying Alexander’s child gnawed at her, twisting something deep inside her chest. She could feel old feelings resurfacing—resentment, jealousy, anger. All the emotions she had tried to suppress were bubbling to the surface. She paced back and forth across the living room, trying to think of her next move. Alex
The next day, Chloe felt an unusual sense of freedom as she stepped out of her house and into the world that had continued without her for over four months. It was strange being out after so long, seeing the everyday bustle of people going about their lives, unaware of the turmoil that had been happening behind the scenes in hers. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze brush against her skin, and smiled faintly. Today, she decided, she would reclaim a small piece of her old life. She went shopping first, driving through the city with a newfound purpose. Chloe had always had a taste for luxury, and although her current situation wasn’t ideal, she wasn’t about to give up on the things that had once made her feel powerful. Stopping by her favorite boutique, she spent hours perusing the racks of designer clothes, trying on outfit after outfit. It felt like a quiet rebellion against the world she had been trapped in for so long. As she walked down the busy streets with several s