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: LAURENKeeping up with Theodor’s demanding routine was truly challenging. His schedule was so packed that almost every afternoon he ended up completely exhausted. Henry, as usual, didn’t compromise on perfection. He was strict about punctuality, posture, impeccable appearance, and especially Theo’s grades.“Theodor, you need to apply yourself more!” Henry said sternly, his voice tinged with concern as he looked over the test papers on the table. He let out a long sigh, clearly tired, softening his tone slightly. “If you’re struggling with the material, I can arrange tutoring for you or even teach you myself. What do you think, champ?”“More studying, Uncle Henry?” Theo grumbled, his tone nervous as he crossed his arms and pouted. “I don’t want to!”“But you need to!” Henry shot back without hesitation, exhaling in frustration. “Theo, I want to ensure you have a great future. Why can’t you see that? You’re a Carter—this empire will be yours someday.”“Sure, until you have your own
POV: HENRYBecker tried to pull away, pushing my arms with a quick, almost automatic motion. Before she could take a second step, I grabbed her wrist. Her skin was cold, trembling.“What does that mean, Lauren?” I asked quietly but firmly. I could feel there was something unsaid, something she was hiding, and it only made the pressure in my chest worse.She hesitated for a moment, then slowly turned around, eyes glassy, her expression exhausted.“I'm considering moving to another city,” Becker said, her voice thick with emotion, though she tried to sound rational. “Starting over, far from here. Henry, thanks to the agreement you signed, I was able to pay off all my father's debts. I'm truly grateful for that. But… I can't take it anymore. This place reminds me of everything I lost. It destroyed me. I can't breathe here anymore.”Her words hit hard. Part of me understood. But the other part reacted without thinking.“So you're going to do to Theodor what you did to me?” I snapped, my v
POV: HENRYI stayed silent for a few seconds, trying to control my breathing. My chest rose and fell in an erratic rhythm, still tasting the kiss that shouldn’t have happened. I looked at her, and she stared back at me with red, watery, confused eyes full of hurt.I hadn’t planned any of that. Furthermore, I didn’t go there to kiss her or to touch her like that. But all it took was one gesture, one sigh, one hesitation—and I got lost again. Just like I always did with her.I noticed her agitation. The way her fingers moved restlessly in her lap, her eyes constantly avoiding mine, shifting back to Theo. She was uncomfortable, on the verge of a breakdown. When she got up from the couch with a weak excuse, saying she was going to make something, I knew it was an escape. And this time, I wasn’t going to let her run. I stood up too and followed her, feeling a tight pressure in my chest that I didn’t want to admit was fear.Fear of losing her. Fear that it might already be too late.“Lauren
POV: LAURENMy head was a whirlwind of voices, and none of them would let me breathe. The hurt pulsed like an open wound. The memory of that article… Mia in his lap, as if his past still had more power than I ever would. And the pain of remembering that night, the hope I carried in my chest when I was about to tell him everything. How I desperately wished he would accept being the father of my child. How I dreamed of a life by his side. As his wife. As a family.I felt my eyes welling up. I tried blinking slowly to hold back the tears, but they pooled in silence, forming a thin line of shine that made me feel… small. Weak. Useless.Part of me wanted to scream. To beg for forgiveness. To say I had been an idiot, that yes, I had lied—but only because I was scared, insecure, and confused. I wanted him to know that everything I felt for him had been real. So intense, it still consumed me today.But
POV: LAURENI wanted to pull away. I wanted to create distance. But everything in me screamed for the closeness I had avoided for so long. And I hated myself for still wanting it. For craving his touch, his voice, the comfort only he could give me. Because none of it was fair.Not to me. Not to him. Not to Theo or Alice.The tear slipped out before I could stop it. I reached for my face automatically, trying to hide it—but he saw.Henry stood up slowly, saying nothing at first. His fingers touched my face gently, and his thumb wiped away the tear in a gesture so intimate it took my breath away. His hand stayed there, holding my face, and in that touch there was something strange—a mix of care and provocation. Like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.I held my breath. My heart sped up, and inside, everything was spinning. It wasn’t just the touch—it was the way he l
POV: LAURENThe pain I felt now wasn’t just physical. It was the weight of choices, silence, and heartbreak all stacked together. I had ruined everything. That was the truth I fought against every single night. Whatever we could’ve been—me, Henry, Theo, and now Alice—I had destroyed it.And as if Alice wanted to remind me she was there too, that all of this affected her as well, another kick came. Stronger. Deeper. A sharp jolt knocked the air out of me for a second, and I instinctively placed my hand on the side of my belly. I closed my eyes and let out a soft, muffled groan. I wanted to play it off and pretend it was just minor discomfort, but I couldn’t.When I opened my eyes, Henry was already standing.“Are you okay, Becker?” Henry’s voice had changed—firm, alert. His hand touched my shoulder directly, without hesitation. Warm. Familiar.
POV: LAURENI gripped the doorknob tightly, trying to control the shaking in my fingers. My heart was beating so fast and so hard it actually hurt, like every thump was a reminder of what I had lost… or what I still felt. It had been a long time since I last saw Henry Carter—and that was no accident. I had been avoiding him. Hiding like a coward because I didn’t know how to deal with the chaos he left inside me. I fell for him in a way I never thought possible. I was his. Completely. And even now, just the thought of facing him made something inside me fall apart.I took a deep breath, and before I could hesitate again, I opened the door.He was there. So real. So absurdly handsome, just like I remembered. His hand, raised midair to knock, froze in place. His eyes locked onto mine—intense, that impossible shade of blue, like they could see straight through everything I was trying to hide. The corner of his lip
POV: HENRY“When Kate got there, the chaos had already started. Her mom was surrounded by armed security, pressured, threatened... my uncle was ready to make an example out of her. Kate freaked out. She tried to reason with them, to defend her, but no one there was about to listen to someone with a dirty last name and a pile of debt.” He paused, like he was choosing his words carefully. “She only avoided being dragged in with her because, when she saw my photo hanging in my uncle’s office, she said—without blinking—that she was my girlfriend. That we’d been together for months. She tried to sell a convincing story.”I choked on my drink the exact second he finished the sentence, coughing and thumping my chest.“Girlfriend?!” I repeated, clearing my throat in disbelief. “Should I congratulate you or ask when exactly you decided to start living in that fantasy?”“It never happened,” Lucian replied, gripping the glass, so tightly that his knuckles turned white. “But I didn’t deny it. I j
POV: HENRYLucian was standing in front of my desk, his fists pressed firmly against the wood. The veins in his arms bulged, his fingers nearly pale from the tension. His jaw was clenched, eyes locked on mine, waiting for a reaction I had zero patience to give.I tilted my head, impatient, and brought the whiskey glass to my lips with the calm of someone who had already passed every stage of anger. The alcohol burned as it went down, but the sting was nothing compared to the rage eating me alive.“They deserve to die for what they did.” My voice came out low and steady, leaving no room for interpretation.Lucian didn’t reply right away. He sat down across from me with a sharp creak of the chair against the floor. He started tapping his fingers on the desk—rhythmic, annoying—like he was trying to gauge how close I was to blowing up.“Mia actually thought she could show up here with that crazy saint face and pretend we slept together.” I went on, full of disdain. “She drugged me. Knocke
POV: LAUREN“Lauren, I’m sorry.” Kate murmured, eyes lowered, avoiding mine. “I have to go. I won’t be able to take Theodor back today.”She looked exhausted. Her face was tense, her shoulders stiff. That phone call had shaken her more than she wanted to admit.“Hey, it’s okay,” I said, gently squeezing her hand. “I’ll take Theo tomorrow. I’ll let Henry know. And… if you need anything, call me—any time.”“I know,” she replied in a muffled tone. Then she pulled me into a tight hug, like someone who needed to hold onto something before falling apart.“But this… this is something I have to face on my own.”I nodded, respecting her silence, even though my heart clenched at seeing her so vulnerable. I watched as she walked away, slowly, like every step weighed a ton.