They walked into Gage's apartment, and Liz's eyes sparkled with excitement. She had been waiting for this moment for what felt like an eternity. Now that they were officially engaged, she couldn't wait to take their relationship to the next level.Liz slipped off her coat and handed it to Gage, her fingers brushing against his as she did so. She smiled up at him, her eyes shining with happiness."Can I get you a drink?" Gage asked, his voice polite but distant.Liz nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "Yes, please. Champagne would be perfect."Gage raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He walked over to the kitchen and opened the fridge, pulling out a bottle of champagne.He poured the champagne into two glasses. Liz walked over to the living room and sat down on the couch. She kicked off her shoes and curled her feet under her, making herself comfortable.Gage handed her a glass of champagne and sat down beside her. Liz clinked her glass against his and took a sip, her eyes never leavin
Gage stood under the warm shower, his eyes closed, and his head tilted back. The water cascaded down his face, washing away the sweat and grime of the day. But no matter how hard the water poured, it couldn't wash away the thoughts that plagued his mind.Nicole's face haunted him, her bright smile, her sparkling eyes, and her soft, full lips. He remembered the way she laughed, the way her hair fell down her back, and the way her skin felt beneath his fingers.But most of all, he remembered the way she slapped him, the way her eyes flashed with anger, and the way her voice trembled with hurt. He cringed at the memory, regret washing over him like a tidal wave.Why had he spoken to her like that? Why had he humiliated her? He knew why. He knew it was because he couldn't bear the thought of her with someone else. He couldn't bear the thought of her smiling at another man, laughing with another man,But he had no right to feel that way. He had no right to control her life or interfere in
Jack's hand wrapped around Nicole's, his fingers intertwining with hers in a gentle grasp. Nicole's heart skipped a beat as she felt his warm touch, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she smiled up at him, her eyes meeting his."Want to see my room?" Jack asked, his voice low and husky.Nicole nodded, her smile growing wider. Jack led her upstairs, his hand still holding hers, and stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway. He pushed it open, revealing a room that was perfectly Jack.The room was tidy, with a comfortable-looking bed and a desk in the corner. The walls were painted a soothing blue, and the furniture was simple but elegant. Nicole's eyes wandered around the room, taking in the little details that spoke to Jack's personality.Her gaze landed on a collection of childhood pictures on a shelf, and she smiled as she saw a young Jack, his hair messy and his grin wide. There were pictures of his family, too, and Nicole's heart swelled with affection as she saw how ha
Nicole and Ashley sat in silence, holding hands, as they waited for any news about their mom's condition. They were seated in a quiet corner of the hospital, just outside the ward where their mom was being treated.After a few moments, Nicole turned to Ashley and asked, "Hey, what happened?"Ashley sniffled, wiping her nose with a tissue. "I was in my room, and I heard a loud thud coming from the kitchen. I didn't think much of it at first, but then I heard nothing. No noise, no movement. It was like... it was like the whole house just stopped."Nicole's grip on Ashley's hand tightened as she listened to her sister's words."I ran to the kitchen, and...and I saw Mom lying on the floor. She was just lying there, not moving. I was so scared, Nicole."Ashley's voice cracked, and she started crying again. Nicole immediately pulled her into a hug, holding her close as she sobbed."It's okay, Ash. It's okay. Mom is going to be okay," Nicole whispered, trying to reassure her sister.As they
Henry's eyes pleaded with Ashley as he turned back to her. "Please, Ashley, can we just talk for a while?" he asked, his voice laced with desperation.Ashley hesitated, unsure if she wanted to hear what he had to say. But something about his expression made her nod, despite her reservations."Fine," she said, her voice still cold. "Let's talk."Lucas looked at her uncertainly, but Ashley just shook her head. "It's okay," she said. "I need to do this."Lucas nodded and stepped back, giving Ashley space. Henry looked relieved and nodded, leading Ashley to a quiet corner of the hospital hallway.They sat down in two chairs, facing each other. Henry looked at Ashley, his eyes filled with regret and longing."I'm so sorry, Ashley," he said, his voice cracking. "I was wrong to leave you and your sister. I was wrong to abandon your mother."Ashley's expression didn't change, but inside, she was seething. She had waited years to hear him say those words, and now that he had, she wasn't sure i
Nicole gazed lovingly at her mother, and then stood up from the chair. She needed a moment to collect herself. She quietly made her way to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.She turned on the faucet, letting the cool water flow over her wrists as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She splashed some water on her face, feeling the droplets trickle down her cheeks.As she patted her face dry with a towel, Nicole took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering emotions from her dream. She needed to focus on her mother, not get caught up in memories of the past.Nicole walked out of the bathroom, she was surprised to see Jack standing beside her mother's bed. He caught her eye and walked towards her, opening his arms for a hug. Nicole stepped into his embrace, feeling a sense of comfort and security.Jack held her tightly, whispering words of reassurance in her ear. "Hey, I'm here for you. Everything's going to be okay." Nicole felt a lump form in her throat as she hu
Nicole and Jack sat in the hospital cafeteria, sipping their coffee and enjoying a brief moment of respite from the stress of the hospital. Nicole's eyes gazed out the window, her mind a thousand miles away. She was lost in thought, her expression a mixture of sadness and longing.Jack noticed the far-off look in her eyes and reached out, gently placing a hand on her arm. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice soft and concerned.Nicole's gaze snapped back to the present, and she forced a smile onto her face. "I'm fine, Jack," she lied, trying to brush off her emotions. "I was just thinking about my mom, that's all."But in reality, Nicole's thoughts were consumed by Gage. She couldn't shake the memory of his smile, his laugh, and the way he used to make her feel. They had a physical connection, a friends-with-benefits relationship that had been intense and passionate. The dreams she'd been having lately had stirred up old emotions.Jack's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression skep
Nicole's face stung from the slap, but she was more shocked by her mother's words. "You're defending him?" she spat, her voice venomous. "After everything he did to us, you're defending him?"Karen's face softened, and she looked at Nicole with tears in her eyes. "I'm not defending him, Nicole," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm forgiving him. I forgave him a long time ago."Nicole's eyes widened in shock, and she felt like she had been punched in the gut. "You forgave him?" she repeated, her voice shaking with rage. "How could you? After everything he did to us?"Karen's face was calm, but her eyes were filled with a deep sadness. "I forgave him because I had to, Nicole," she said. "I had to forgive him for my own sake, for my own peace of mind. Holding onto anger and hatred only consumes you, Nicole. It eats away at your soul."Nicole felt like she was going to explode. She couldn't believe what her mother was saying. She couldn't believe that her mother had forgiven
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