Alexander kept his gaze on the road, his hands tightening on the steering wheel, the tension in his jaw evident as he pulled into her driveway. It was the house Chloe had referred to as “her own,” a place he had bought for her when they were still together. Back then, she had insisted on having her own space, somewhere she could retreat when life became overwhelming, when their relationship—fulfilled by time, mistakes, and misunderstandings—felt too heavy to bear. He remembered her excitement the day they signed the papers, how she had marveled at the luxurious finishes, the spacious rooms, and the peace that seemed to permeate the air. Now, that peace felt like a distant memory. The house stood small but opulent, a stark contrast to the chaos that had often surrounded them. It had always been Chloe’s sanctuary, her escape from the world—and from him. Alexander wondered if that same house would be her escape again, not just from the world, but from her responsibilities as a mother
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
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
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
“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
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
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
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
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