Ryan stood outside Serena’s office, waiting anxiously for her to finish work so they could leave. His mind was racing with thoughts of Amy. He had spent years not knowing he had a daughter, and now that he did, he couldn’t waste another second.Serena finally stepped out, holding her bag, and gave him a small nod. “Are you ready to finally meet her officially?”Ryan nodded quickly. “Yeah. Though I’m anxious about what she would feel about me. But, Let’s go pick her up.”They walked to Serena’s car in silence. Ryan kept stealing glances at her, his heart pounding with nervous anticipation. He was sweating profusely even though the car air condition was on.As they drove, he drummed his fingers on his knee. “Does she… does she know anything about me?”Serena sighed. “I told her things… but not the truth. I’ll explain it to her tonight.”Ryan swallowed hard. “What did you tell her?”Serena kept her eyes on the road. “That her dad loved her very much but couldn’t be with us.”Ryan’s h
Ryan placed Serena gently on the bed, his eyes locked onto hers with a hunger he could no longer deny. His hands traced slow, deliberate paths down her arms, savoring the softness of her skin beneath his fingertips. Serena’s breath hitched, and a teasing smile played on her lips as she watched him.“You’re staring,” she whispered, running her fingers through his hair, tugging gently.Ryan smirked, leaning down to capture her lips in a slow, lingering kiss. “Can you blame me?” he murmured against her lips, his voice low and husky.Serena’s heart pounded in her chest as his hands roamed over her body, taking his time to explore every inch of her curves. He pressed gentle kisses down the length of her neck, his lips leaving a trail of warmth that sent shivers down her spine.“Ryan…” she breathed, her fingers gripping his shoulders, pulling him closer.His lips moved lower, tasting the sweetness of her skin, his touch igniting a fire deep within her. Serena arched beneath him, feel
“Daddy, hurry up!” Amy squealed, tugging on Ryan’s hand as they walked into the park. Her little face was beaming with excitement, and Ryan couldn’t help but smile at her energy.“Alright, alright, slow down, princess,” he chuckled, adjusting the cap on her head to shield her from the sun. “Where do you want to go first?”Amy looked around, eyes darting from the swings to the slides, then to the carousel spinning in the distance. “Um… the swings!” she finally decided, pointing eagerly.Ryan grinned. “Swings it is!”They walked over, and Ryan lifted Amy onto one of the swings. “Hold tight,” he said, gently pushing her back.Amy giggled as the wind rushed past her face.“Higher, Daddy! Higher!” she urged.Ryan pushed a little harder, watching her squeal with joy. “Not too high, princess. I don’t want you flying off!” he teased.After a few minutes of swinging, Amy jumped off, landing with a little bounce. “Let’s go on the slide now!” she declared, grabbing his hand again and dra
Kate sat at her dresser, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her lips curled into a sly smirk as she ran a hand through her long hair. The phone on the table beside her buzzed, and she picked it up without hesitation.“Hello?” she said in a low, expectant voice.“It’s done,” the man on the other end said. His tone was cold and business-like.Kate’s smirk deepened. She traced her finger along the edge of the mirror, watching her own reflection with satisfaction. “Good,” she whispered. “Now let’s see how she’s gonna trust him again with her child.”The man remained silent, waiting for further instructions.Kate leaned closer to the mirror, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “A child is precious to her mother,” she murmured, tilting her head. “No mother would allow a man to make her lose her kid.”She chuckled softly to herself, biting her lip in excitement. “Thanks for your help,” she added before ending the call and tossing her phone onto the dresser. She leaned back in her chai
Ryan sat in his office, staring at his phone screen for what felt like the hundredth time that day. Serena still wasn’t answering his calls. It had been two days since the incident at the park, and no matter how many times he tried, she wouldn’t pick up.With a frustrated sigh, he tossed the phone onto his desk and leaned back in his chair. His head was pounding, and his chest felt tight. He couldn’t sit here anymore. He needed to clear his head.Grabbing his phone again, he scrolled through his contacts and pressed a familiar name. The phone rang twice before a cheerful voice answered.“Ryan! Man, it’s been a while!”Ryan managed a small smile. “Yeah, it has. Listen, I need to get out of my head for a bit. How about some ice hockey?”There was a brief pause before his friend laughed. “Ice hockey? Are you serious? It’s been years!”“Come on, Ethan,” Ryan urged. “After all, I was the best back in school, remember?”Ethan chuckled. “Oh, I remember. You were unbeatable. Alright, let
It had been a month since the park incident, and things were finally getting better for Ryan. Serena had started to trust him again, at least enough to let him spend more time with Amy. Every moment with his daughter felt like a gift he didn’t want to waste.That evening, Ryan called Serena while sitting in his office. He leaned back in his chair, waiting for her to pick up.“Hello?” Serena’s voice came through the phone, sounding a little distracted.“Hey,” Ryan said with a small smile. “I was thinking… I could pick Amy up from school today. Give you a break.”There was a pause on the other end. “You sure?” Serena finally asked. “I mean, I’ve got a ton of work here, so that would actually help a lot, but…”Ryan chuckled. “I promise I won’t mess up. Come on, Serena, I’ve been doing great, haven’t I?”Serena sighed. “I guess so. Okay, you can pick her up. Just in case, please make sure she eats something healthy before she gets home, and no sweets before dinner, alright?”Ryan l
Ryan stood frozen in place, staring at Kate in disbelief. His heart pounded in his chest, and for a long moment, he couldn’t find his voice. When he finally did, his words came out in a shaky breath.“Kate… that’s impossible,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “The last time… the last time anything happened between us was a month ago. There’s no way you could have gotten pregnant from that moment.”Kate crossed her arms and frowned at him, leaning against the couch. “Oh, come on, Ryan. You know just one time is enough. And guess what? It happened.”Ryan shook his head, stepping back like he needed to put some distance between them. “No… no, this isn’t happening. It can’t be. Are you sure?”Kate rolled her eyes. “Of course I’m sure! Do you think I’d lie about something like this?”Ryan let out a humorless laugh, pacing around the living room. “Wouldn’t you, Kate? Perhaps you’ve done worse.”Kate’s eyes darkened, but she forced a smile. “Ryan, you can’t change the fact that
Serena stood with her arms crossed, staring at Kate without moving an inch. The tension in the room was thick, but Serena wasn’t about to give Kate the satisfaction of seeing her uncomfortable.Kate let out a short chuckle, taking a step further inside. “Aren’t you going to ask me to sit?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.Serena scoffed. “I don’t see the need,” she replied coldly. “You won’t be staying long enough to get comfortable.”Kate waved a hand dismissively, smirking. “Well, suit yourself. I didn’t come here for pleasantries anyway. What I have to say is way more important than me sitting down.”Serena sighed impatiently. “Then say it and get out of my house.”Kate’s smile widened as she tilted her head. “I know what’s been going on between you and Ryan,” she said smugly. “After divorcing him all those years ago, you suddenly decide to show up and worm your way back into his life. Trying to ruin my relationship with him, aren’t you?”Serena’s lips curled into a smirk. “Oh,
Serena stirred awake as the morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over her bedroom. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the brightness before sitting up and stretching her arms above her head. Today was the day she was returning to her company and finally going to put an end to the rumors.They’ve done too much trying to drag her name down the muds. For what reason exactly? This, she doesn’t know.It’s not as though she’s in their way, yet they won’t let her have some breathing space.“I already have this good feeling this morning and I just can’t wait to get everything back on track, leaving my enemies behind and speechless!” Serena uttered, smirking widely into space.She got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face to wake herself up properly. After brushing her teeth and tidying up, she walked to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast. The smell of toast and scrambled eggs filled the air as she set the t
The evening air was cool, but Ryan’s blood was boiling with frustration. The image of Steve Jacob flashed in his mind, but what made his chest tighten was the little girl he saw in those features—Amy. Her resemblance to Steve was undeniable, and it gnawed at him, making his head spin.Slumping back in his office chair, Ryan let out a rough sigh. His tie hung loosely around his neck, and his suit jacket was tossed aside. He needed to clear his head. Finishing the last of his work, he reached for his phone.“Mr. Ryan,” Jefferson, his assistant, peeked in through the half-opened door. “Anything else you need before I leave?”Ryan shook his head, his voice curt. “No, Jefferson. Go home. I’m done here.”Jefferson nodded and left, leaving Ryan alone with his restless thoughts. Without hesitation, Ryan scrolled to his contacts and dialed. The line barely rang twice before a familiar voice answered.“Yo, Ryan!” Ethan’s voice was warm and lively. “Knew you’d call. I’ve been seeing the mes
The grand, luxurious interior of Ryan’s mansion stood in perfect silence—a sharp contrast to the chaos brewing outside. Kate lounged on the plush cream-colored couch in the living room, her bare feet tucked beneath her, a half-eaten tub of ice cream balancing on her lap. She had been indulging herself freely since Ryan left for the office earlier that morning. With no one watching, there was no need to keep up her usual act—no sweet smiles, no fake tears, no calculated pouts. Just her, the food, and the empty house.“Finally,” she muttered, scooping another bite of the cold, creamy dessert into her mouth. “Some peace and quiet.”She had wandered through every corner of the house, opening cupboards, sampling expensive wines from the cellar, and even trying on some of Ryan’s clothes—just because she could. This was her space now, or at least it would be soon enough once she becomes Ryan’s wife.Bored, Kate tossed the empty ice cream tub onto the coffee table and grabbed her phone.
That afternoon, the large conference hall buzzed with anticipation, a low hum of murmurs filled the air as journalists adjusted their microphones and tested their cameras. Bright flashes from photographers sparked across the room, casting quick bursts of light on the polished podium set for the day’s speaker.Rows of reporters, some from the most prestigious media houses and others from hungry online tabloids, filled every available seat. Notepads flipped open, and fingers hovered over recording devices. The air felt charged—thick with curiosity.The subject of their speculation was a man few had seen in public. Steve Jacob. The reclusive tycoon who rarely appeared in the spotlight had summoned them. The internet was already flooded with theories—some claimed it was a business announcement, others speculated a scandal. After all, Steve Jacob was a name synonymous with power and mystery.The side doors opened. Conversations halted as heads turned. A tall, striking figure entere
The morning sunlight streamed softly through the curtains as Kate lay comfortably on Ryan’s bed, her body half-covered by the blanket. She held her phone tightly against her ear, her eyes glinting with satisfaction as she whispered into the receiver.Rolly’s excited voice buzzed through the line.“Kate, you won’t believe it! Mrs. Winters really went all out. She got Serena arrested last night!”Kate’s eyes sparkled with delight, and a wide smirk curled on her lips. She sat up slightly, her back against the soft pillows. “What?!” She gasped in fake surprise, though her voice couldn’t mask the thrill she felt. “Are you serious?”“Totally!” Rolly replied with excitement. “It’s already all over the internet! Serena Winthrop was arrested for causing your miscarriage. The headlines are crazy!”Kate let out a soft, breathy laugh and covered her mouth. “Oh, Rolly, this is perfect. Just perfect! She deserves every bit of it. Now the world will finally see her for what she truly is—a home-
Emma sat up in bed, staring at her phone in disbelief. Serena’s voice still echoed in her head—“I’m being arrested. Please come to my apartment. Take Amy and stay with her until I sort this out. Also call the contact I’m sending to you.”She threw her blanket aside and jumped out of bed, her heart racing.“This can’t be happening,” she muttered, pulling open her wardrobe and grabbing a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. Her hands trembled as she struggled to get dressed, her mind spinning with worry for both Serena and little Amy.Before heading out to her living room, Emma grabbed her phone again and dialed Ethan’s number. He answered on the second ring, his voice groggy with sleep.“Hey, babe… what’s wrong? It’s late. Aren’t you sleeping yet? Do you want me to tuck you to bed?” He asked, his voice playful.“Ethan,” Emma blurted out, her voice shaky, “I need your help. My boss, Serena, has been arrested.”“What?” Ethan shot up from his bed, now fully awake. “Arrested? For what?”“I d
Ryan stood outside the hospital room, clutching a bouquet of fresh roses and a small bag filled with gifts. His heart pounded heavily against his chest, each beat a reminder of his guilt. I’ve hurt her so much. I can’t undo what’s happened, but I have to make things right, he thought, taking a deep breath before pushing the door open.Inside, Mrs. Winters sat beside Kate’s hospital bed, her face stern and cold. Kate was lounging against her pillows, munching on slices of apples from the fruit basket Rolly had brought earlier. The moment Ryan walked in, both women looked up.Mrs. Winters scoffed loudly, rolling her eyes.“Well, look who finally decided to show up,” she muttered bitterly, crossing her arms.Ryan ignored her sharp tone and walked straight to Kate, placing the bouquet gently on her lap.“These are for you,” he said softly, his voice filled with regret.Kate’s eyes flickered with curiosity. “What’s he up to now?” she thought but kept her face neutral. She accepted t
Ryan stood by the hospital window, his phone gripped tightly in his trembling hand. The sky outside was dull, the clouds gray and heavy, mirroring the weight pressing down on his chest. His fingers hesitated over the screen before he finally tapped his mother’s number. The phone rang only twice before Mrs. Winters picked it up.“Ryan?” Her sharp voice echoed through the speaker.Ryan swallowed hard, his throat dry. “Mom… something happened.”Mrs. Winters’ tone shifted immediately. “What is it? What’s wrong? Hope you’re okay?”“ I’m fine mom. But It’s Kate. She isn’t okay…,” Ryan muttered, his voice low, guilt dripping from every word. “She… she lost the baby.”Silence. For a moment, there was only the faint sound of static. Then came the explosion.“What?!” Mrs. Winters’ voice roared through the phone, making Ryan wince. “How could this happen? What did you do, Ryan?!”“What did you do to Kate that led to her losing my grandchild? What the hell did you do?” She demanded, her voic
Kate paced around her small apartment, her footsteps echoing in the quiet space. The morning light barely seeped through the blinds, casting long shadows on the walls. Her face was flushed with frustration, her jaw clenched tight. She’d spent the entire night at Ryan’s house, waiting like a fool. She sat on his couch, checking the time over and over, hoping he’d walk through the door. But he never came.Now, back in her apartment, her mind was racing with dark thoughts.Where the hell did he go?Her chest tightened with suspicion. Maybe he was with Serena. Again. Even after everything—the lies, the news that Amy wasn’t his daughter, all of it—what if he still wanted her?Kate’s hands curled into fists at the thought.“No. I won’t let that happen. Not again.”She snatched her car keys off the counter, her mind already racing with a plan.“This time,” she muttered under her breath, “I’ll make sure Ryan hates her for good.”She grabbed her phone and quickly typed out a message to Rya