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 goodbye so they can move on.”
“But I don’t want them to leave without me!” he cried, his pain piercing my heart. Gently, I stroked his wet hair, pulling back just enough to wipe away his tears.
“That’s not how it works, my little angel,” I said with a soft smile, cupping his cold cheeks, still damp from the water. “They’ll always be with you, right here.”
I pointed to his small chest, trying to reassure him, but his eyes widened, and he turned to stare intently at the river again.
“No, they won’t find me!” he exclaimed desperately, trying to run toward the water again.
“What are you doing? You almost drowned!” I shouted, holding him firmly, which made him stop and cry even harder. His expression was pure despair, and my harsh tone clearly frightened him.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to scare you,” I said softly, kneeling to his eye level. “I’m just worried you’ll get hurt. Please tell me—where’s your family? Who’s taking care of you?”
He sobbed, trying to catch his breath, but didn’t answer at first, his eyes shifting to the ground in shame.
“I ran away from my uncle while he was saying goodbye,” the boy finally said between sobs. “I got mad at my parents because they left me. So I threw the necklace they gave me to remember them into the lake. Now my parents will never find me again!”
“A necklace?” I asked, sighing as I thought. I bit my lip, glancing between the lake and the boy. “Alright, let’s make a deal, okay?”
“A deal?” he murmured, rubbing his red eyes and sniffing. “What kind of deal?”
“I’ll go back into the lake to look for your necklace, and you go find your uncle and tell him what happened,” I explained, holding his small, cold hands. “Tell him to meet me here, and by then, I’ll have found your necklace. How does that sound?”
“No, he won’t listen to me,” the boy sniffled, sadness evident in his voice. “He never listens to me.”
“Then tell him there’s a woman at the lake who needs help, that she’s in danger,” I suggested, trying to convince him as I gently stroked his face and planted a light kiss on his cheek. “Can you do that for me?”
“I… I don’t know,” he hesitated, still sobbing softly. “Do you promise you’ll find my necklace?”
His tear-filled eyes met mine, and the depth of his pain was impossible to ignore. I knew I had to earn his trust and help him find some comfort, no matter how small.
I kneeled before him and held out my pinky finger, offering a silent promise.
“I give you my word,” I declared firmly. A radiant smile lit up his little face, completely transforming his expression. He raised his pinky and linked it with mine, sealing the promise with a nod.
“Alright, I’m counting on you to get help while I look for the necklace in the river,” I encouraged him further.
“Okay!” he replied enthusiastically, running toward the path. But he suddenly stopped, turned around, and, on impulse, ran back to me, throwing himself into my arms. His hug was tight, full of gratitude and need.
“Thank you for being my fairy protector,” he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity and innocence.
I felt my eyes well up with tears as I hugged him back tightly, trying to give him all the comfort he needed.
“Now go on, hurry. I’ll be here waiting for you,” I said with a smile, watching him run off. Once he disappeared from sight, I turned my attention to the river.
I stared at the calm waters for a moment, gathering my courage.
“Alright, we can’t let that child down. Life has already taken so much from him... I know that pain all too well,” I murmured to myself, determined.
I slipped off my shoes, tossing them aside, before diving back into the river to begin my search for the necklace that meant so much to that mysterious little boy.
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, c
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. The job was new, but there wasn’t much to learn. 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 looked toward the indicated table, my stomach turned. Sitting there with smug smiles were Ethan and Violet.My ex-husband was as impeccable as ever, dressed in 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 with an expression of pure superiority. My feet were almost frozen in place, but I knew I didn’t have a choice.Swallowing hard, I adjusted my apron and approached with hes
POV: LAURENIt was a cold and rainy night. I had spent the entire day planning something special for Ethan and me. After so many days of him seeming distant and indifferent, I thought maybe a thoughtfully prepared dinner could help us reconnect. I made his favorite dish and set the table perfectly, with candles and flowers. The aroma of the roast still filled the house when I heard the front door open.“Ethan?” I called out excitedly as I walked out of the kitchen.He entered without even glancing at me. He took off his wet coat and threw it over the back of the sofa, heading straight for the stairs. Furthermore, he looked exhausted but also detached, as if being home was a burden.“You’re home earlier today. I made dinner. I thought we could eat together,” I said, my tone hopeful.Ethan stopped in the middle of the room, finally looking at me with his deep-set eyes and raised chin. His expression was filled with disinterest as he wrinkled his nose.“I already ate. I had a long meetin
POV: LAURENI grabbed the keys with determination, ready to confront Ethan. The photos on my phone clearly showed that woman sitting on his lap, laughing and drinking with him as if they were a couple. Was it because of her that he had changed so much?Ethan's cruel words echoed in my mind, each syllable a blow to my heart:“You will never be enough for any man. Your infertile womb makes you incomplete. You're incapable of making anyone happy.”My anger exploded, and I screamed into the emptiness of the car:“I made you happy for three years, Ethan! This isn’t fair!”I pounded on the steering wheel, feeling the pain throbbing in my wrists, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my chest. My eyes burned from the tears welling up, but I refused to let them fall.I looked at the photos on my phone again, my lips trembling, and my heart crushed with pain. The words escaped in a desperate whisper:“Please tell me this is a misunderstanding. Tell me you're not destroying our marriage li
POV: LAURENBefore the worst could happen, I felt strong arms quickly pull me away. My body spun, and I landed on something solid. I kept my eyes closed, my body trembling as I tried to process what had just happened.“Are you okay?” a deep and firm male voice asked near my ear.I slowly opened my eyes and found a strikingly handsome man in front of me. He had dark hair and intense blue eyes, and his serious gaze seemed to examine every detail of my face. His presence was as commanding as the sense of security he exuded.“Take your time,” he said, his expression serious as he watched me.It was only then that I realized I was lying on his firm, muscular chest. My face flushed with embarrassment, and I abruptly stood up, trying to regain my composure.“I'm sorry… thank you for saving me,” I murmured quickly, but before I could take another step, a wave of intense dizziness overwhelmed me. My legs gave out, my body grew heavy, and my vision began to blur.I felt his strong arms catch me
POV: LAURENStill lost in my confused thoughts, I was pulled back to reality by the insistent sound of a cellphone ringing next to the hospital bed. The name of my mother, Amelia, flashed on the screen. I answered quickly, still overwhelmed by conflicting emotions.“Mom?” My voice came out low, filled with uncertainty.“Thank God, I finally reached you! I’ve been calling for hours!” she exclaimed, the urgency in her tone impossible to ignore.“What happened? Are you okay?” I asked, feeling a growing tightness in my chest. “And Dad? Is he okay?”“Dear, we need you to speak to your husband,” my mother got straight to the point, her voice trembling with despair. “Your father’s company suffered a terrible blow. We’re on the verge of bankruptcy.”My heart began to race.“What? What do you mean, a blow?” I exclaimed, sitting up abruptly, the phone nearly slipping from my hand. “Mom, calm down! Explain exactly what’s happening!”On the other end of the line, I heard a sob.“I don’t understan
POV: LAURENOn the other end, he let out a dry laugh filled with contempt.“What kind of question is that?” he exclaimed impatiently, his irritation evident. “I spent three years by your side, and you were never able to get pregnant. It's time to face the truth, Lauren. You’re empty, incapable of having children. Accept it and stop wasting my time. Just tell me—do you accept my terms or not?”A sob escaped my throat, his words cutting into my heart cruelly, as he always knew how to do. My eyes dropped to my stomach, my hand lightly brushing against the fabric of the hospital gown. Silent tears streamed down my face, but my mind was racing.I lifted my chin, forcing myself to think about the future and everything at stake. My family was depending on me.“If you agree to my terms and sign the divorce papers, I’ll save your father’s company today,” Ethan added coldly, ignoring my sobs entirely. “So, do you accept or not?”I took a deep breath, fighting the lump in my throat.“I accept,”
POV: LAURENI was washing dishes in the back of the restaurant, the smell of food and detergent clinging to my already worn-out uniform. The job was new, but there wasn’t much to learn. 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 looked toward the indicated table, my stomach turned. Sitting there with smug smiles were Ethan and Violet.My ex-husband was as impeccable as ever, dressed in 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 with an expression of pure superiority. My feet were almost frozen in place, but I knew I didn’t have a choice.Swallowing hard, I adjusted my apron and approached with hes
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: 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, c
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: LAURENMy breathing grew heavy, my body trembling with anger and humiliation. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.“Get out of here!” I shouted through clenched teeth, struggling to stand, my voice overflowing with fury. “Now!”Arthur shot me one last look of disdain before turning and walking away slowly, leaving behind the weight of his threats.I stood there for a few moments, staring at the ground as I watched Arthur disappear into the distance. When I finally turned around, my eyes met familiar faces—people I once called friends. But not a single hand was extended to help me. I took a deep breath and got up on my own, brushing the dust off my clothes as whispers and muffled laughter surrounded me.The same people who had once promised to stand by me no matter what were now whispering and casting judgmental looks.“Lauren, I heard your father left you… quite a bit of debt,” Claire, an old college friend, remarked in a sweet voice, though the smile on he
POV: LAURENThe sun was setting on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as I stared at the coffin in front of me. My hands trembled, not just from the pain of loss, but from the guilt of not acting quickly enough. I hadn’t managed to fix the company in time. I let myself get consumed by the conflict with Ethan and took too long to save my father and his empire.His skin was pale, his lips a bluish hue. Flowers covered his body up to his neck. A tight knot formed in my chest, and the pain was overwhelming. Beside me, my mother sobbed uncontrollably, clutching the coffin and begging the man she loved to come back. But he wouldn’t. He would never again make us laugh with his nonsensical jokes, tell his stories, guide us with his wisdom, or protect us from the world.“Oh, Dad, why did you do this to us?” I murmured through tears, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. I leaned closer to the coffin and placed a kiss on his cold forehead. “Rest in peace. I promise
POV: LAURENOn the other end, he let out a dry laugh filled with contempt.“What kind of question is that?” he exclaimed impatiently, his irritation evident. “I spent three years by your side, and you were never able to get pregnant. It's time to face the truth, Lauren. You’re empty, incapable of having children. Accept it and stop wasting my time. Just tell me—do you accept my terms or not?”A sob escaped my throat, his words cutting into my heart cruelly, as he always knew how to do. My eyes dropped to my stomach, my hand lightly brushing against the fabric of the hospital gown. Silent tears streamed down my face, but my mind was racing.I lifted my chin, forcing myself to think about the future and everything at stake. My family was depending on me.“If you agree to my terms and sign the divorce papers, I’ll save your father’s company today,” Ethan added coldly, ignoring my sobs entirely. “So, do you accept or not?”I took a deep breath, fighting the lump in my throat.“I accept,”
POV: LAURENStill lost in my confused thoughts, I was pulled back to reality by the insistent sound of a cellphone ringing next to the hospital bed. The name of my mother, Amelia, flashed on the screen. I answered quickly, still overwhelmed by conflicting emotions.“Mom?” My voice came out low, filled with uncertainty.“Thank God, I finally reached you! I’ve been calling for hours!” she exclaimed, the urgency in her tone impossible to ignore.“What happened? Are you okay?” I asked, feeling a growing tightness in my chest. “And Dad? Is he okay?”“Dear, we need you to speak to your husband,” my mother got straight to the point, her voice trembling with despair. “Your father’s company suffered a terrible blow. We’re on the verge of bankruptcy.”My heart began to race.“What? What do you mean, a blow?” I exclaimed, sitting up abruptly, the phone nearly slipping from my hand. “Mom, calm down! Explain exactly what’s happening!”On the other end of the line, I heard a sob.“I don’t understan
POV: LAURENBefore the worst could happen, I felt strong arms quickly pull me away. My body spun, and I landed on something solid. I kept my eyes closed, my body trembling as I tried to process what had just happened.“Are you okay?” a deep and firm male voice asked near my ear.I slowly opened my eyes and found a strikingly handsome man in front of me. He had dark hair and intense blue eyes, and his serious gaze seemed to examine every detail of my face. His presence was as commanding as the sense of security he exuded.“Take your time,” he said, his expression serious as he watched me.It was only then that I realized I was lying on his firm, muscular chest. My face flushed with embarrassment, and I abruptly stood up, trying to regain my composure.“I'm sorry… thank you for saving me,” I murmured quickly, but before I could take another step, a wave of intense dizziness overwhelmed me. My legs gave out, my body grew heavy, and my vision began to blur.I felt his strong arms catch me