POV: LAUREN“No! Don’t do that; it’s dangerous!” I shouted, running toward him as he started thrashing in the water, swallowing large gulps and sinking. “Hold on, I’m coming to save you!”Without thinking twice, I dove into the lake and swam with all my strength until I reached him. His small arms wrapped tightly around my neck, his sobs loud, his body trembling with fear.“Hey, it’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe now,” I murmured softly, trying to calm him as I held him firmly. “I’m going to get you back to dry land, alright? Just trust me.”Carefully, I swam back to the shore, keeping the boy close, feeling his desperation gradually ease. Once I reached the land, I gently laid him on the ground, making sure he was alright.“I’m scared,” he whimpered, clutching onto me even tighter, his voice trembling. “I don’t want to say goodbye.”“Oh, my sweet boy…” my eyes filled with tears, and I pulled him into a tight embrace, trying to offer him comfort. “Your parents need you to say goodby
POV: HENRYA single second was enough for him to disappear. In the distance, I heard his screams. The sound of his panicked voice calling for me made my chest tighten and my breathing falter.“Help, Uncle Henry, please!” Theodor screamed, his voice filled with desperation. “She’s going to die!”“Theodor!” I shouted back, my heart racing. A chill ran down my spine, and sweat dripped from my forehead as I sprinted through the cemetery, ignoring everything around me. I followed his voice until I reached the lake.There he was, standing at the edge of the water, pointing frantically at something I couldn’t yet see.“You have to save her!” he cried, his voice trembling, his wide eyes brimming with tears.I hurried over, frowning as I tried to process his words.“What are you talking about, Theodor? Who?” I asked, trying to make sense of it all while gasping for air from the run.“The fairy is drowning!” he shouted, his innocence evident in the urgency of his tone.I stopped for a moment, co
POV: LAURENWater was still dripping from my hair and clothes, leaving a wet trail behind me as I walked toward the gates of my family’s mansion. I frowned when I noticed a moving truck parked at the main entrance, with several men loading furniture, paintings, and boxes into the vehicle as if they were mere disposable items. My chest tightened as I ran toward one of the men carrying the old grandfather clock my father had cherished so much.“What’s going on here? Who authorized this?” My voice came out louder than I expected, filled with desperation.“Ma’am, please remain calm,” the man said, avoiding my gaze and quickening his pace toward the truck.Not satisfied with his vague response, I rushed to stop the next mover, grabbing his arm firmly.“These things belong to my father!” I shouted nervously. “You can’t just come into our home and take everything like this!”A man in a pristine suit and thick glasses approached slowly, holding a clipboard in his hands. Adjusting his glasses,
POV: LAURENI was washing dishes in the back of the restaurant, the smell of food and detergent clinging to my already worn-out uniform. Kate had recommended me for the job, hoping to help me rebuild my life. There wasn’t much to learn here—clean, wash, repeat. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a way to make some money. There was no room for pride, not with debts piling up and my mother needing care.“Lauren!” The impatient voice of the manager made me look up. “Table four, now!”I sighed, wiping my hands on my apron before leaving the kitchen. I knew I shouldn’t take too long, but as I glanced at the indicated table, my stomach churned. Sitting there, with smug smiles, were Ethan and Violet.My ex-husband was as impeccable as ever, wearing a suit that probably cost more than everything I had in the bank. Violet, sitting beside him, looked like a model in a tight dress, her expression radiating superiority. My feet nearly froze on the spot, but I knew I had no choice.Swallowing hard, I
POV: HENRYWe were having lunch at a pleasant restaurant Lucian had suggested—something more casual to meet the new nanny who might help me with Theo. According to my friend, “Someone who understands the boy better,” as Lucian had put it. “A female figure who might fill the void he feels.”I could barely focus on the food while Theodor played with the juice in front of him, clearly uninterested in everything. I was already growing frustrated with the lack of progress in our relationship.Lucian, as always, seemed relaxed, observing quietly. He finally spoke, breaking the silence.“Henry, maybe you’re looking at this the wrong way.”I sighed, dropping my utensils onto the plate harder than I intended.“And what would the right way be, Lucian? Please, enlighten me with your wisdom.”He just laughed.“Theodor needs this. You’re not failing because you require a little help with the boy. It’ll be good to have someone who understands him, who knows how to handle the pain he’s going through
POV: LAURENI watched that arrogant, imposing man in his impeccable suit walk away, hand in hand with the adorable boy with bright eyes. The boy, however, kept looking back, his sad expression mirroring what I felt inside.“I understand your pain,” I thought, feeling the tightness in my chest. He was so young, facing something so difficult.Suddenly, the boy let go of his hand and ran back to me, gripping the fabric of my clothes with determination.“Please, fairy, you like me, don’t you?” he asked with captivating sweetness, blinking his eyelashes innocently. “I promise I’ll behave. Stay with me!”I held his small hands, surprised and thoughtful.“Of course I like you, my brave little one,” I replied with a smile, watching relief light up his face.“Then you’ll take care of me?” he asked hopefully, bouncing with excitement as he swung my hands.“And? Will you accept?” That firm, commanding voice interrupted, drawing my attention. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, radiating the
POV: LAURENWe stopped in front of the imposing mansion gates, and I couldn’t help but glance around in admiration. It was larger and more grand than the house I grew up in. I felt small, warm hands clutching mine. Looking down, I was met with Theodor’s sweetest and most innocent smile.Was this what it felt like to have a child by your side? My heart tightened at the thought that soon I’d be holding my own child’s tiny hands.“Come on, Fairy!” Theo exclaimed with the typical excitement of a child. “I want to show you the house. There are so many places to play!”Before I could say anything, he was already tugging at my hand, leading me inside. The entrance was just as impressive as the exterior. We moved toward the staircase when we heard the distinct sound of someone clearing their throat behind us.“Did you forget about me?” Henry’s firm, commanding voice filled the space, cutting through Theo’s enthusiasm. He stood in the hallway, casually yet dominantly poised, one hand in his po
POV: LAURENAfter my conversation with Henry Carter and under his ever-skeptical gaze, I left the office feeling drained. One of the housemaids guided me to the room adjacent to Theodor’s. After a quick shower, I noticed a tray of fruits and juice placed strategically on the small table next to the bed. Besides, it was a piece of letterhead titled “House Schedule” and, just below, “Theodor Carter’s Agenda.”Sitting on the bed, I picked up the paper curiously. The schedule was meticulous, detailing times for almost every imaginable activity. I had the distinct feeling that if I looked closely enough, there might even be a scheduled time for bathroom breaks.“Henry Carter doesn’t mess around when it comes to control,” I murmured, taking a sip of juice as I flipped through the pages.When I reached Theodor’s agenda, my expression shifted to something between disbelief and concern. The routine was exhausting, even for an adult. It included language lessons, traditional school curriculum s
POV: ETHAN“What did you just say, James?” I gripped the phone tightly, feeling rage pulse at my temples.“You heard me loud and clear, buddy,” James chuckled on the other end, his voice dripping with amusement. “I said your ex-wife, Lauren Becker, is pregnant with none other than Henry Carter’s child. It looks like he didn’t just surpass you in wealth, but in other ways too.”My jaw clenched, and fury ignited inside me like an uncontrollable blaze.“Where the hell did you hear this nonsense?!” I shouted, anger consuming me.“Straight from the source, my friend,” James replied, his sarcastic tone only fueling my irritation. “I thought I’d give you a heads-up before the high society charity event. After all, the lovebirds will probably be there, flaunting their happiness and announcing the big news. The newest C
POV: HENRYAfter a few days, Lauren was finally discharged from the hospital. The doctor emphasized the need for complete rest, a balanced diet, and—much to her embarrassment—no intimate activity.When he mentioned that last part, Lauren choked on her own saliva, coughing as her face turned a deep shade of red.I held back a laugh, simply watching her discomfort.On the way home, she remained silent, avoiding my gaze whenever I tried to start a conversation. But once we arrived, her posture shifted.She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, looking up as if assessing the distance to her room.“What do you think you're doing?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.“I'm climbing the stairs.” She frowned, throwing me a defiant look.“The doctor said no exertion, remember?” I crossed my arms, waiti
POV: JAMES“Lauren has a natural beauty,” I commented, barely hiding my amusement.In an instant, a pillow came flying straight at my face.“You’ve always been an idiot obsessed with her!” Mia growled, her eyes blazing with anger. “You should have dragged that pathetic girl into a bathroom at prom and forced her to marry you!”My grin widened.“Good point,” I laughed, leaning back. “And without a doubt, I wouldn’t have failed to get her pregnant.”Mia froze. Her eyes narrowed in an instant, scanning my face as if trying to decipher something.“What the hell do you mean by that, James?” Her voice was sharp.She yanked the glass from my hand before I could finish my drink and leaned in closer.“What do you know that I don’t?”
POV: JAMESI walked through Mia’s mansion gates without rushing, savoring the chaos already unfolding inside. The sharp, shrill sound of her hysterical voice echoed through the house as I approached her atelier.As soon as I crossed the door, I had to step aside quickly when a mannequin was hurled in my direction, crashing violently against the wall.“I ALREADY TOLD YOU THIS FABRIC IRRITATES MY SKIN, YOU USELESS IDIOT!” Mia screamed, her face twisted in rage as she berated a terrified assistant.The poor guy clutched a clipboard, trembling, while Mia pointed at a dress on a pedestal as if it were the greatest tragedy of the century.“Do something useful and bring me a carmine piece from Mondely’s collection!” she ordered.“But, Miss, he’s no longer taking orders…” the assistant tried to argue but immediately sile
POV: JAMESI touched my sore chin, the metallic taste of blood spreading through my mouth. Something felt loose. I spat into my hand and saw a piece of my broken tooth.My blood boiled.“You stupid bastard!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the hospital corridors. “That damn bastard is going to pay for what he did!”I took a deep breath, trying to control my anger, but the fury pulsed through my veins. Henry Carter would regret laying hands on me.Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a nurse hurrying down the hallway toward the patient rooms.Perfect.With two quick strides, I grabbed her arm and yanked her roughly against the wall. My body leaned in, my hands flattening against the wall beside her head, trapping her.“Princess, you’re just the one I was looking for.” I smirked
POV: LAUREN“I don’t like having my own words used against me,” he murmured, his tone laced with irony. “But I have to admit, that was an excellent argument.”I rolled my eyes, letting out a softchuckle.“Don’t be so full of yourself.”He just smiled, satisfied, while I leaned back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling. But my mind was elsewhere.The truth weighed heavily on my shoulders.I needed to tell him before things spiraled even further out of control.I swallowed hard, feeling anxiety creep in. Taking a deep breath, I shifted on the bed, trying to find the right words.“Henry, I need to tell you something.” My voice came out hesitant, and he turned to me patiently, waiting for me to continue.My hands were cold, my heart pounding against my chest. It was now or never.“My pregnancy… I mean, my baby isn’t…”Before I could finish, an unfamiliar voice cut through the moment, dripping with irony and mockery.“Well, well, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw
POV: HENRYI gasped at the feeling of his firm touch, his warm hand wrapping around the nape of my neck, holding me still under his penetrating gaze that seemed to see right through me. My heart pounded, and my body reacted to his proximity in a way I didn’t want to admit.Why was Henry acting like this? What did he really want from me?“Henry, why do you insist on this so much?” My voice came out low, almost hesitant. I tried to pull away, but he only tightened his grip slightly, keeping me exactly where he wanted.A slow smile curled at the corner of his lips, full of mystery and something else that made my breath hitch.“You ask too many questions, Becker.” His voice was a husky murmur, laced with something dangerous. “And yet, you keep avoiding the ones I ask.”My hands instinctively slid to his shoulders, feeling the heat of his skin beneath the fabric of his shirt. My chest rose and fell rapidly, my breathing completely erratic.“Carter…” I swallowed hard, feeling the tension be
POV: HENRYFor some reason, Lauren seemed nervous about that question. Her body went rigid, her eyes shifted to the side, and her breathing faltered. Something was bothering her, but she wouldn’t say it.“Theodor, Lauren is still tired.” My voice came out firm, catching his attention. “She went through a big scare and needs to rest. This is all very new for all of us.”Theo lowered his shoulders slightly, but the sweetness in his expression didn’t fade.“Fairy,” he called her softly, his little fingers fidgeting nervously. “You don’t want your baby to be my sibling? Is that why you won’t answer?”Lauren’s eyes widened as if the question had hit her straight in the chest. Her breathing became uneven, and tears welled up in her eyes.“Theo, no!” Her voice came out distressed. “You
POV: LAUREN“You can't let him believe in something that's not real.”I swallowed hard, averting my gaze. I knew I needed to tell the truth. But the fear of Henry's reaction—and what it would mean for me and my baby—paralyzed me.What if, after finding out, he just walked away and left us behind?“I know, okay?” My response came out harsher than I intended as I stared at the ceiling. “I didn’t want him to find out this way, and I definitely didn’t want him jumping to conclusions. But… Carter took on the role so easily, Kate. There was happiness in his voice and in his posture. You should have seen him during the ultrasound—he almost cried, emotional, accepting my baby as if it were his.”Kate held my hands, her expression softening.“I understand that you don’t want to hurt him or take tha