There was a soft chuckle on the other end of the line, though it sounded a little strained. “Kinda,” Mark admitted, though there was an undertone of something more—something deeper. “But, you know, it’s not just about the news. I’ve been meaning to call you anyway.” Amelia let out a small laugh, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She knew Mark well enough to see through that. He had always been good at deflecting, at pretending things didn’t bother him when they clearly did. “Come on, Mark,” she teased gently, her voice soft. “We both know why you’re calling. You don’t really have to say it.” There was another pause, this one longer than the last. She could almost picture him on the other end, running a hand through his hair, trying to find the right words. “Okay, fine,” he finally said, his voice quieter now. “Yes, the news kind of surprised me. But I called because… well, I just wanted to tell you I’m really happy for you, Amelia.” Those words, simple as they were, touched so
After a while, Mark said he had to go, and they both said their goodbyes. Amelia hung up the phone, her heart heavy with the weight of everything that had been left unsaid. She sat in silence for a while, staring out the window at the fading light of the afternoon.Alexander entered the room a few minutes later, his eyes immediately finding her as she sat on the edge of the bed. He walked over and sat beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.“Everything okay?” he asked softly.Amelia nodded, leaning into his embrace. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Just… catching up with an old friend.”Alexander kissed the top of her head, his touch gentle and reassuring. “You don’t have to worry about anything, Amelia. I’m here, and we’re going to get through this together.”Amelia smiled, feeling a sense of peace settle over her. She knew that there would be challenges ahead, but in that moment, with Alexander's comforting presence beside her, she felt a sense of calm that had been missing for
“I want us to raise our child in a home filled with love and support. I want to give you everything you deserve, Amelia.” She squeezed his hand, touched by his sincerity. “That sounds perfect,” she said softly. “And I know we’ll get there, Alex. We’ve been through so much already, but we’re stronger for it.” He stopped walking and turned to face her, his eyes filled with emotion. “I love you, Amelia. More than anything.” Amelia’s breath caught in her throat, and she felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I love you too,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world around them fading into the background. In that moment, nothing else mattered—not the gossip, not the challenges they would face, not the lingering doubts that sometimes crept into their minds. All that mattered was the love they had for each other, and the life they were building together. As they made their way back to the hotel, Amelia couldn’
“I missed you too, Mom!” Jackson said, his arms wrapped tightly around her neck. He pulled back slightly to look at her, his eyes wide with curiosity. “How was France? Did you bring me anything?” Amelia chuckled, brushing his hair back from his face. “Of course, we did. We brought you lots of surprises,” she said, glancing over at Alexander, who was standing by the car, watching the two of them with a smile. Jackson then turned to his father, running over to hug him as well. “Dad! I missed you too!” he exclaimed, clinging to Alexander’s leg. Alexander smiled down at his son, ruffling his hair affectionately. “I missed you too, buddy,” he said, lifting Jackson up into his arms. “You’ve been taking care of the house while we were gone, huh?” Jackson nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! But I’m glad you’re back now. It was too quiet without you guys.” Amelia smiled, feeling a surge of warmth at Jackson’s words. This was her family, her life, and in moments like this, she felt incredi
They stayed there for a while, enjoying the quiet of the night. The stars above twinkled like distant promises of everything that was yet to come. Amelia’s thoughts drifted to the future, to the days ahead when their family would grow. She imagined Jackson as a big brother, the look of wonder and excitement on his face when he first met his sibling. The thought filled her with a deep sense of contentment. As the night grew later and the cool air began to seep into their bones, Amelia and Alexander eventually made their way back inside. The house was quiet now, save for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the distant sound of Jackson’s steady breathing from his room. They headed upstairs to their bedroom, and Amelia changed into her pajamas, the soft fabric comforting against her skin. Alexander joined her in bed a few moments later, his presence as steady and reassuring as ever. As he slipped under the covers and pulled her close, Amelia felt the weight of the day finally catchin
After breakfast, the school bus arrived to pick up Jackson. Amelia watched from the front door as he ran down the driveway, waving enthusiastically before hopping on the bus. She waved back, her heart swelling with love for the little boy. She stood there for a moment after the bus drove away, enjoying the peaceful morning air before returning inside. With Jackson at school and Alexander at the office, Amelia was left alone in the house, save for the maid who was there to help with the household chores. It was quiet, almost too quiet, but Amelia didn’t mind. She liked the calmness that came with having the house to herself, giving her time to relax and reflect. She made her way upstairs, intending to spend the morning catching up on some reading or perhaps doing some light organizing around the house. But as she reached the top of the stairs, a sound caught her attention—a car pulling into the driveway. Amelia froze for a moment, listening intently. Who could it be? She wasn’t exp
It was clear that Evelyn had been following the news closely, but she didn’t press Amelia for details or gossip. Instead, she listened with genuine concern, offering words of support and reassurance. “I know the media can be relentless,” Evelyn said after a while, her voice was steady and calm. “But don’t let them get to you. What matters most is your family, and we’re all here for you, no matter what.” Amelia nodded, feeling a sense of relief settle over her. Evelyn had a way of making everything seem more manageable, even in the midst of chaos. They continued talking for a while, the conversation flowing easily between them, and for the first time in days, Amelia felt a sense of peace. As the afternoon light shifted, casting a golden hue over the house, Amelia felt a sense of calm settle in, even though the recent days had been anything but peaceful. She knew that Jackson, her son, would soon be back from school, and the thought of having the family together again after such a
The familiar clatter of dishes and Jackson’s animated chatter filled the room, creating an atmosphere that felt almost serene. Amelia couldn’t help but smile as her son recounted the details of his school day with the kind of boundless energy only a child could have. Jackson, always full of stories, waved his arms in excitement as he talked about his art class. “Mom! Dad! I drew the biggest dragon today! Mrs. Carson said it was the best one she’s seen all year!” His eyes sparkled with pride, his face lighting up with enthusiasm. “That’s amazing, sweetheart,” Amelia said, her smile widening as she listened to him. The joy in his voice, the innocence in his excitement—it was the kind of moment that reminded her of what truly mattered, despite the turbulence they had been facing lately. Evelyn, seated at the head of the table, watched Jackson with her usual warmth and patience. “I can’t wait to see it,” she said, her voice soft yet full of genuine interest. “I bet it’s the most ma
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