Ariel, now 29, watched as her 5-year-old twins, Moon and Star, excitedly ran to her, eager to share their day at school. Moon, her little princess, loved playing with dolls and laughing, while Star, her observant son, had a curious mind, just like his father. Despite never meeting their father, Chas
"Hey, Mommy?" Star says, looking up at me with curious eyes. "Are we going to see Daddy soon?" I hesitate, unsure of how to answer. "We'll see, sweetie," I say finally. "But no matter what, we'll always be together, okay?" Star nods, seeming to understand. But I know that soon, I'll have to face
ARIEL LOPEZ I flung open the door to my penthouse, beaming with excitement as my parents walked in. It had been too long since we'd last seen each other, and I couldn't wait to catch up. My stepmom enveloped me in a warm hug, tears welling up in her eyes, while my dad smiled broadly, his eyes crink
ARIEL As I walked into the boardroom, my heart raced with anticipation and nerves. I had rehearsed this moment countless times, but nothing could have prepared me for the intensity of Chase’s gaze. Our eyes met, and a flurry of emotions swirled in my head. I hadn’t seen him in years, and the memor
*** CHASE COLES I sat in my car, the silence deafening as I tried to process the events of the past hour. Ariel, my ex-wife, had just walked into the boardroom, looking like a completely different person. She was confident, poised, and beautiful. I couldn’t help but wonder where she had been all
CHASE I woke up with a start, my heart racing, as I saw Ariel’s face looming over me. Her smile was menacing, and the pillow in her hand made me fear for my life. But just as she was about to suffocate me, Austin’s voice called out from afar, “Dad, wake up!” I jolted upright, realizing it was ju
Ariel smiled, her eyes sparkling with determination. “I'm more than ready, Chase. Let's get down to business." I handed her the contract, trying not to make eye contact for too long. I couldn't afford to show any weakness today. As she began to read through the documents, I took my seat, my mind
ARIEL As I arrived at Coles Group, I felt a mix of emotions: excitement, nervousness, and determination. I was ready to take on this new challenge and prove myself. Sophia, my assistant, had helped me prepare for this day, and I was grateful for her support. As I settled into my small office, I d
The aroma of cooking food wafted through the air as Rachel busied herself in the kitchen, preparing a meal for lunch. She was absorbed in her task, her hands moving with practiced ease as she chopped, sautéed, and seasoned. The sizzle of vegetables and the savoury smell of meat filled the kitchen, m
As she sat there, frozen with uncertainty, Rachel couldn't help but think about everything she had done for Victor. She had given him her heart, her trust, and her love. The thought that he might not feel the same way, that he might be deceiving her, was almost too much to bear. Rachel's eyes well
As the lights were turned off and the room grew quiet, Chase and Ariel snuggled under the blankets, ready to drift off to sleep. But just as they were about to settle in, Chase suddenly spoke up, his voice low and thoughtful. “Ariel, can I talk to you about something?” he asked, his words breaking
Her father sighed and rubbed his temples. “It’s a long story, Monica,” he said. “But I’ll tell you everything. Just please, listen to me and try to understand.” Monica nodded, still feeling dazed and confused. But she was determined to get to the truth and understand what was happening. “Okay,”
Monica’s eyes fluttered open, and she was met with an unfamiliar ceiling. She was disoriented, and for a moment, she thought she was having a bad dream. But as she sat up and looked around, she realised that she was in a room she had never seen before. Panic set in, and she jumped out of bed, her he
But it was quickly suppressed, replaced by a sense of calculation and cunning. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he was willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goals. “I’m already proud of you,” he said, his voice low and smooth. “You’re going to do great things, Rachel. I just know it.”
As they drove home from the water theme park, Chase was awfully quiet, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Ariel noticed the silence and couldn't help but wonder what was wrong. She glanced over at Chase, trying to read his expression, but his face was a mask of calmness. Ariel's mind wandered back t
Chase raised an eyebrow, his expression sceptical. “What makes you think I care about any of this?” he asked, his voice cold. Monica took a step forward, her eyes locked onto Chase’s. “Because I know you, Chase,” she said. “I know you’re a good person, and I know you deserve to be happy.” Chas
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the water theme park, Chase and Ariel started to pack up the remains of their picnic. The kids, still buzzing with excitement from their birthday celebration, gathered around, chattering and laughing as they helped their parents gather their b