Max intervened, pushing Lucas away from Ashley. But Lucas didn't flinch. He stood his ground, his eyes locked on Ashley's."No matter how much you try to hate me," Lucas said, his voice low and husky, "I will still love you. Always. And I know you love me too."Ashley's eyes welled up with tears as Lucas's words struck a chord deep within her. She felt a flutter in her chest, a feeling she couldn't ignore.Lucas took a step closer to Ashley, his eyes burning with intensity. "I'm sorry for whatever happened," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry. I can't change the past, but I promise you, Ashley, I will never leave you again. Not until the end. I'm willing to leave everything behind, just for you."She saw the sincerity in his eyes, the desperation in his voice. She felt the weight of his words, the depth of his emotion.Tears streamed down Ashley's face as she looked at Lucas. She saw the man she once loved, the man she thought she'd lost foreve
Ashley stepped forward, a pleading expression on her face. "Let us come in first, Nicole. I'll explain everything."But Nicole's expression remained cold and unyielding. "You can come in, Ashley," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "But he...he needs to leave. I don't want him in my house."Ashley's face fell, and she looked at Lucas with a worried expression. "Nicole, please," she said, trying to reason with her sister.But Nicole's anger was not to be placated. She turned to Lucas, her eyes blazing with fury. "Now what game are you playing with her, huh?" she spat. "Once you broke her heart, and now you come again? Get out!"Her voice was rising, and she was almost shouting. Lucas took a step back, his eyes flicking nervously between Nicole and Ashley.But before things could escalate further, Ashley stepped forward and grabbed Nicole's arm, holding her back. "Nicole, stop," she said, her voice firm but gentle.Just then, Karen emerged from her bedroom, looking sleepy and co
Nicole was busy arranging a tray of freshly baked pastries in the display case of her mom's bakery. She was lost in thought, her mind still reeling from the events of the previous night. Her mom, Karen, had just arrived at the bakery and was trying to strike up a conversation with Nicole."Hey, sweetie, I wanted to talk to you about Lucas," Karen said, her voice gentle and non-judgmental.But Nicole was having none of it. She shook her head and muttered, "I don't want to talk about him, Mom. I don't think he's good for Ashley."Karen looked at Nicole with a concerned expression, trying to understand her daughter's perspective. "Why do you feel that way, Nicole?" she asked.But Nicole just shook her head again. "You always trust the wrong people, Mom," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Like Dad, remember? You trusted him, and look what happened."Karen's face fell, and she looked away, her eyes misting over. She knew that Nicole's words were true, and it was a painful remind
As the evening unfolded, Ashley and Lucas headed out for dinner, leaving Nicole and her mother, Karen, to a quiet dinner at home. The soft glow of the dinner table lights cast a warm ambiance, and the aroma of the meal wafted through the air, creating a cozy atmosphere.Nicole, lost in thought, focused on her food, her eyes cast downward. Karen, noticing her daughter's introspective mood, decided to initiate a conversation. "Hey, baby, how's everything going? You seem a bit distant tonight," she asked, her voice gentle and inquiring.Nicole's gaze lifted, and a soft smile spread across her face. "I was just thinking about Jack," she replied, her voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and fondness.Karen's expression turned curious, and she leaned in slightly, encouraging Nicole to continue. "Oh? How do you know Jack, sweetie?" She asked, her tone neutral and non-judgmental.Nicole's eyes sparkled as she began to reminisce about her childhood. "We used to have so much fun together, Mom.
They arrived at the trailhead, and Nicole's eyes widened as she gazed out at the rugged terrain before them. She turned to Jack, her brow furrowed with concern. "Jack, um, this looks a little rough. Are you sure we're going to ride here?" She asked, her voice laced with hesitation.Jack's face broke into a wide smile, and he nodded enthusiastically. "This is my favorite place, Nicole. I've been riding here for years," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.Nicole raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "It's not like I've never done mountain biking before, but this..." she trailed off, her gaze drifting back to the challenging trail ahead.Jack chuckled and reached out to reassure her. "Don't worry, Nic, I'm here, okay? And what's the use of doing adventure sports if adrenaline doesn't run at top speed in our veins?" he asked, his voice filled with a sense of thrill-seeking abandon.As he finished speaking, Jack gave Nicole a confident wink, and she rolled her eyes good-nat
They finished their thrilling ride down the mountain trail; Nicole and Jack guided their bikes over to a beautiful old tree that had fallen to the ground, its trunk now serving as a natural bench. They sat down together, exhausted but exhilarated from their adventure.Nicole took a deep breath, feeling the cool mountain air fill her lungs, and reached for her water bottle. She took a refreshing sip, feeling the water revive her parched throat. Jack did the same, and they sat there in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the peaceful surroundings.Finally, Nicole broke the silence, turning to Jack with a bright smile. "That was amazing!" she exclaimed. "I've never done anything like that before. I've gone mountain biking, but not on a trail like this. It was incredible!"Jack grinned back at her, his eyes sparkling with pleasure. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," he said. "I was a bit worried you might find it too challenging, but you handled it like a pro."Nicole laughed, feeling a se
Liz and Gage decided to grab dinner together at a nearby restaurant. They sat down at a cozy table by the window, and as they perused the menu, Liz couldn't help but steal glances at Gage.She had been drawn to him from the moment they met, but she had been hesitant to express her feelings, fearing that he might not reciprocate them. But as they sat there, laughing and chatting, Liz couldn't help but feel a sense of connection with Gage that she had never felt with anyone before.As they ordered their food and waited for it to arrive, Liz took a deep breath and decided to take a chance. She reached out and gently touched Gage's hand, her eyes locking onto his."Gage, I have to tell you something," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've really been enjoying our time together these past few weeks. You're an amazing person, and I feel so lucky to have met you."Gage's eyes softened, and he smiled, his face lighting up with warmth. "I've been enjoying our time together too, Liz
Nicole lay in her hospital bed, surrounded by her loving family and Jack, who had been by her side since the accident. Her mom and sister, Ashley, were sitting in chairs next to her bed, their faces etched with worry and concern. Jack was standing at the foot of her bed, his eyes fixed on Nicole's face, his expression a mixture of guilt and apology.Nicole looked at her mom and sister, then at Jack, and smiled weakly. "Guys, I'm fine," she said, trying to reassure them. "Stop making that face."But Jack just shook his head, his eyes dropping to the floor. "Nicole, I'm so sorry," he said, his voice filled with remorse. "I should have been more careful. I should have seen that rock."Nicole's mom reached out and put a hand on Jack's arm. "It's not your fault, Jack," she said. "Accidents happen. Nicole knows that."But Jack just shook his head again. "I keep thinking about what could have happened," he said. "What if she had hit her head? What if...?"Nicole's sister, Ashley, stood up an
The beautiful summer day, casting a warm glow over the lush green gardens where the wedding ceremony was taking place. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the soft chirping of birds could be heard in the distance.Nicole, looking stunning in her white wedding gown, stood at the entrance of the aisle, her father's hand holding hers. She took a deep breath, her eyes shining with happiness, as she prepared to walk down the aisle to meet her groom, Gage.She began her walk, all eyes turned to her, and a collective gasp of admiration filled the air. Nicole's father, beaming with pride, smiled at her, and she smiled back, her eyes sparkling with joy.As she made her way down the aisle, Nicole's gaze swept across the crowd, taking in the familiar faces of friends and family. Her eyes landed on Mr. Harrison, Gage's father, who was sitting in the front row, a huge smile spreading across his face.Nicole's heart swelled with affection as she looked at Mr. Harrison.
Nicole felt a wave of disappointment wash over her as she hung up the call with Mr. Harrison. She had been hoping that he would know where Gage was, that she could finally talk to him and make things right. But now, it seemed like she was back to square one.She walked over to a nearby bench and sat down, feeling defeated. She buried her face in her hands, trying to process her emotions. Why did she always have to make things so complicated? Why did she always have to push away the people she loved?As she sat there, Nicole's mind began to wander back to Gage.She suddenly remembered something that made her heart skip a beat. She quickly grabbed her bag and stood up, her mind racing with possibilities. Without hesitation, Nicole walked back into the airport.****The sun was setting over the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the small island that Gage owned. The island was a private sanctuary, a place where Gage could escape the chaos of the world and find solace in nature. And
The plane taxied down the runway; Nicole's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Gage's words from the book kept echoing in her mind, reminding her of the depth of his love for her. She couldn't shake off the feeling that she was running away from something precious, something that could have been hers if only she had realized it sooner.The thought of Gage giving his heart to her, and now, unknowingly, giving her a part of himself through their baby, was almost too much to bear. Nicole felt a pang of guilt and regret, wondering how she could have been so blind to Gage's feelings.Suddenly, she stood up, her movements abrupt and decisive. The flight attendant, caught off guard, hurried over to her. "Ma'am, please sit down. We're about to take off."But Nicole didn't listen. She grabbed her bag and began to walk towards the exit, her eyes fixed on the door. The flight attendant tried to stop her, but Nicole pushed past her, determined to get off the plane."Ma'am, you can't just get off th
Nicole stepped down from the stairs, her eyes fixed on the floor as she made her way to the front door. Her dad, sister, and Lucas were all standing in the living room, watching her with a mix of sadness and understanding.Ashley walked towards her, concern etched on her face. "Nicole, do you really want to go?" she asked, her voice soft.Nicole nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "I need to go, Ash," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Now that Mom is gone, this house just feels empty. I'm not used to being here without her. I need to get out of here and start fresh somewhere else."Her father, Henry, walked towards her, his eyes filled with compassion. "We understand, baby," he said, his voice gentle. "We'll miss you, but we understand that you need to do this."Nicole's eyes overflowed with tears as she hugged her father tightly. It was a moment of closure, a moment of healing, and Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of joy seeing her sister and father reunited like
Nicole stepped up to the microphone, her eyes scanning the crowd of mourners gathered to pay their respects to her mother. She took a deep breath and began to speak, her voice calm and steady."My mom was an incredible woman," she started, her words echoing through the silence. "She was a great wife, a great mom, and a great person. She had every opportunity to leave us, to start a new life after our dad left. But she chose to stay with us, to raise us on her own, and to give us the best life possible."Nicole's voice cracked slightly as she spoke, but she continued, her words pouring out from the heart."As a daughter, I have to admit that I failed my mom. I never understood her, I never appreciated her sacrifices, and I never thanked her enough for everything she did for me. She always put Ashley and me first, always prioritizing our needs above her own. And yet, I repaid her by being selfish, by running away from her when she needed me most."Nicole's tears began to fall, streaming
The doctor emerged from the room; Nicole and her father stood up, their hearts racing with anticipation. They walked towards the doctor, their eyes fixed on his face, searching for any sign of hope.But the doctor's expression was grim, his eyes cast downward. He seemed to be struggling to find the words to say."Doctor?" Nicole asked, her voice trembling with anxiety. "What's going on? How's my mom?"The doctor didn't respond, his silence hanging in the air like a heavy weight."Doctor, please," Nicole asked again, her voice growing more urgent. "Tell me what's going on. Is my mom okay?"The doctor still didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the floor.Nicole's anxiety turned to desperation, and she reached out and grabbed the doctor's collar, her hands shaking with fear."Tell me!" she demanded, her voice hoarse with emotion. "What's going on with my mom?"Her father intervened, gently prying Nicole's hands off the doctor's collar."Nicole, honey, stop," he said, his voice calm and soot
Nicole drove to the hospital; she couldn't help but think about the events of the past few days. Ashley and Lucas had just left for their honeymoon, and despite Ashley's initial hesitation to leave her mother's side, Nicole had assured her that she would take care of their mom. Nicole had reminded Ashley that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and that she should go and enjoy her honeymoon with Lucas.Now, as Nicole drove to the hospital, she was filled with a mix of emotions. She was worried about her mother's health, which seemed to be deteriorating by the day. She was also thinking about Gage and the secret she was keeping from him. She was happy to be carrying his child, but she was also consumed by guilt for not telling him about the pregnancy.As she thought about Gage, Nicole's mind was filled with conflicting emotions. A part of her wanted to reach out to him, to tell him about the baby, and to see if they could work things out. But another part of her was hesitant, fea
Nicole took a deep breath and began to explain the situation to Ashley. "Ash, you know how Gage and I were in a friends with benefits agreement? Well, things got complicated. Gage fell for me, and I...I couldn't deny that there was something between us. Something that I couldn't connect with Jack."Ashley's eyes widened in surprise, but Nicole continued. "I know it's not fully Jack's fault that he didn't trust me. I never let him get close to me, not really. But with Gage...it was different. His touch, his kiss... it melted me, Ash. I couldn't deny it, no matter how hard I tried."Nicole's voice cracked as she remembered the pain she had felt. "And then Jack broke up with me, which hurt me, Ash. He said things that cut deep, and I realized that I deserved better. That's why I agreed to go to Paris, to get away from all this mess."Ashley's expression softened, and she reached out to take Nicole's hand. "But now...now you're pregnant with Gage's child," she said gently.Nicole nodded,
Ashley stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her wedding veil as Nicole sat on the bed, watching her with a warm smile."You look beautiful, Ash," Nicole said, her eyes shining with happiness.Ashley turned to her, her face radiant with excitement. "Thanks, Nic. I'm so nervous. What if I trip on my dress? What if Lucas forgets his vows?"Nicole laughed, getting up from the bed to give Ashley a reassuring hug. "You'll be fine, Ash. You've been preparing for this day for months. And Lucas loves you; he'll never forget his vows."Just then, there was a knock on the door. Nicole walked over to answer it, expecting it to be one of the wedding planners or maybe Lucas himself.But when she opened the door, she was shocked to see Gage standing there, looking handsome but somber in his suit. They stared at each other for a moment, the tension between them palpable.Nicole's heart was racing as she tried to process why Gage was here. They hadn't spoken since she slapped him, and she had been