My eyes flutter as light shines through the window, waking me up from my deep sleep. A tiny weight settles on my chest, and I open my eyes to see my son Max smiling down at me, his big brown eyes filled with excitement.“Dada...” he chuckles, kissing my face. With his tiny tongue.“Yes, my love.” I brushed his hair out of his eyes, kissing him back before sitting up and wrapping him in a warm embrace. “Good morning, my little sunshine,” I say, feeling grateful for the precious moment shared with my son.“Moning,” he tried to say in his baby voice, making my heart swell with love.I slowly sat with Max sitting on my lap, turning my head to see two beautiful blue eyes looking up at me.“Daddy,” Summer said softly, her gaze filled with curiosity and wonder. My heart melted at the sight of my two children, each with their own unique charm and personality.I smiled, brushing her hair away from her face, feeling blessed to have such beautiful children. “Good morning, my loves,” I whispered,
****BEN****Rage burned in my veins like a wildfire, consuming everything in its path. I threw my fists against the wall, feeling the pain shoot up my arms as I struggled to contain the overwhelming emotion. The red haze clouded my vision, blurring everything except the overwhelming need to release this pent-up anger.She can’t get married to that bastard. She is mine, only mine; no one but I have the right to be with her. No one but I can make her happy.“Ahhhh...” I growled as I heard footsteps approaching, and two pairs of legs stopped before me. “What’s going on here?” a voice asked, breaking through the haze of anger that had consumed me. I turned to see the bloody bastard standing with his nasty smirk that I wanted to wipe off his face with my bare hands. “She’s mine,” I snarled, feeling the rage building up inside me. “And I won’t let anyone take her away from me.”“Oh Ben, I know she is yours; isn’t that why I am helping you claim her back?” The voice belonged to Justin Hollis
***Hailey*****I stared at the mirror in front of the mirror for a long time, trying to analyze my reflection and understand what was missing.“I don’t know what seems to be lacking,” I thought to myself, feeling a sense of unease as I continued to search for answers in my own reflection.Hollis gifted me this beautiful cream-colored dress with a halter neckline and intricate lace detailing that hugged my figure perfectly, making my baby bump look even more pronounced. The dress made me feel elegant and confident, but as I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still not quite right.I tried to fix my makeup and adjust my hair, but the unease lingered. It wasn’t until I noticed the missing accessory that completed the outfit that I finally understood what was lacking.“Today is significant. I need to look my best,” I thought to myself as I applied soft pink lipstick and a touch of shimmering highlighter to complete my look. But I am yet to be s
***Hailey*****“Yes, I am coming,” Hollis said, his tone serious as he answered the call. My heart sank as I watched his expression change, confirming my worst fears: that our perfect ending was not meant to last.Hollis started the car with me sitting beside him. I watched as the courthouse loomed in the distance, a stark reminder of the impending doom that awaited us. The weight of uncertainty settled heavily on my shoulders as we approached our destination, knowing that whatever news awaited us inside would change our lives forever.Today we were about to get married when something happened that would alter our plans indefinitely. The knot in my stomach tightened as Hollis careened around a sharp curve, signaling our impending doom.I wanted to ask him so many questions; so many doubts flooded my mind, but I remained silent, bracing myself for the unknown. Where is driving us, whose call came out of the courthouse, and what news could be waiting for us that would alter our plans so
****Hailey****“Hailey is not like the others,” Hollis said firmly, his voice tinged with conviction. “She’s different, Arthur. She truly cares about me and our relationship.”“Yes, like the ones who came before her,” Arthur interjected, his skepticism evident. “What was her name again, Lauren?” “She was just using you for her own benefit,” Arthur continued, his distrust clear in his words. “I don’t want to see you get hurt again, Hollis.” Hollis shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “I might have been in a coma for eight years, but I can still tell when someone is genuine,” he said confidently. “And she is pregnant too; I suggest taking a parental test to confirm if the child is indeed yours,” Arthur added. His concern for Holly was evident in his tone.Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at Arthur, feeling only one thing for him: resentment. “Thank you for your kind words, Arthur, and for taking care of your friend. Congratulations on waking up after a long coma,” I
****Hailey****I reached home after an exhausting day and found myself unable to shake off the unease that had settled in my chest. I don’t know why, but the thought of Arthur’s presence lingering in our lives filled me with a sense of dread that I couldn’t quite explain. It was as if a storm was brewing on the horizon, and I could only hope that Hollis and I would be able to weather it together.Maybe it’s just my overactive imagination, but I couldn’t ignore the sense of foreboding that lingered in the air. As I tried to push aside my worries, I couldn’t help but wonder what challenges lay ahead for us with Arthur in the picture.I shook my head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts that threatened to consume me. Despite my unease, I knew that Hollis and I were strong enough to face whatever obstacles came our way.I sighed and reminded myself that we had faced difficult times before and always came out stronger on the other side. I trust Hollis, and more than that, I trust our bon
*****Hailey******Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to control my emotions. “Hollis, please come home soon. I really need you right now,” I desperately pleaded, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I knew I couldn’t do this alone and needed my Hollis by my side.But a loud thud interrupted my thoughts and made me jump in fear. As the phone fell from my trembling hands and the call ended abruptly, I felt a surge of panic wash over me. I prayed that Hollis would arrive in time to protect us from whatever danger lurked outside.I hugged both my kids tightly and whispered reassurances to them, trying to keep my own fear at bay. As the loud thud of someone kicking on the door echoed through the house, I knew we were running out of time.“Mama, he is trying to break the door down,” my daughter whimpered, her voice filled with fear. I held them closer, trying to remain calm and strong for their sake.“Shhh... it’s going to be okay. Daddy is coming to protect us,” I whi
*****Hailey*****“1...2,” Ben counted, his voice filled with anger and frustration. I knew that I had to stand my ground and protect my children at all costs. “….3..,”“Stop… I will come with you; just please don’t harm the kids,” I pleaded, hoping to diffuse the situation before it escalated any further. Ben’s expression softened slightly, but I knew that this was only the beginning of a long and difficult journey ahead. I knew that I would do whatever it takes to protect my children at all costs.Ben smirks, pulling my body to his, whispering in my ear, “Good decision.“ His breath tickled my skin as I shivered in fear and uncertainty. “Let go,“ he said softly, his grip tightening on my arm as he led me away from my children. I knew then that I had to stay strong and find a way to escape, no matter what it took.I looked back as Ben pushed me away from my home, my kids, and the life that brought me so much joy. Hollis, I am sorry, but I have to go to protect myself and our children f
Hollis***The drive to the warehouse felt like a lifetime, every second stretching into eternity. The engine’s roar drowned out everything else—except the pounding of my heart, which seemed to reverberate in my chest with each beat. My mind was split, torn between the thought of Summer, trapped and terrified, and the dangerous man who had done this to her. Kevin sat silently beside me, his eyes sharp, calculating, but I could feel the weight of his gaze on me. His silence spoke volumes—he was watching, waiting, and judging every move I made.As we neared the outskirts of town, the city lights dimmed, replaced by a cold, sterile glow that cast long, stretching shadows. The warehouse loomed ahead, its rusted metal and broken windows seeming more sinister than ever. Tonight, it wasn’t just a building—it was a tomb.The first thing that hit me was the smell of gasoline, sharp and acrid, coating the air like a toxic fog. It burned my nostrils, thick enough to taste, like metal scraping aga
Hailey***The night air was sharp against my skin as I stepped out of the hospital’s back entrance, Kevin following closely behind me. The city felt oppressive, its streetlights casting long, distorted shadows that seemed to mirror the darkness creeping into my soul.Everything felt wrong. The security footage had left me with a sinking suspicion, a feeling that gnawed at my insides. The figure who took Summer—whoever it was—knew me. They knew my weaknesses, my family, and they used it against me."You think it’s him, don’t you?" Kevin’s voice cut through my thoughts, low and tense.I didn’t answer right away. The weight of the truth pressed on my chest, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it. “I don’t know,” I muttered. “But I’m going to find out.”We reached the car, and I slammed the door with a force that matched the storm raging inside me. Kevin slid into the passenger seat, and without another word, I floored the gas pedal. The streets blurred in my peripheral vision, but my mind
Hollis***The weight of Hailey's words, the tenderness in her touch, lingered in the air long after she whispered her love. I held her tight, my arms wrapped around her like a lifeline, the steady beat of her heart against mine grounding me. In that moment, I almost felt like I could make everything right, as if we could finally face everything and start over.But I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.Her trust was fragile, shattered by lies and half-truths. I could feel her fear, and I knew I had to earn it back before we could move forward.I pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes. There was so much I wanted to say, so many apologies that felt inadequate, but I knew there was only one thing I could do right now."I'll take care of it," I said softly, my voice hoarse, the weight of my promise pressing heavily on me. "I'll fix this, Hailey. I'll get the answers we need. I'll make sure Max and Summer are safe."She nodded, her eyes filled with pain and doubt, but there was
Hollis***The weight of Hailey's words, the tenderness in her touch, lingered in the air long after she whispered her love. I held her tight, my arms wrapped around her like a lifeline, the steady beat of her heart against mine grounding me. In that moment, I almost felt like I could make everything right, as if we could finally face everything and start over.But I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.Her trust was fragile, shattered by lies and half-truths. I could feel her fear, and I knew I had to earn it back before we could move forward.I pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes. There was so much I wanted to say, so many apologies that felt inadequate, but I knew there was only one thing I could do right now."I'll take care of it," I said softly, my voice hoarse, the weight of my promise pressing heavily on me. "I'll fix this, Hailey. I'll get the answers we need. I'll make sure Max and Summer are safe."She nodded, her eyes filled with pain and doubt, but there was s
Hailey***"Kevin…" we both said at the same time, seeing Kevin standing by the door. God’s expression twisted in anger. I could feel the tension in Hollis's body as he braced himself for what was to come next."What are you doing here?" Hollis demanded, his voice low, but Kevin ignored the question. His eyes locked onto mine with a look of pure malice."I'm here to expose the truth about what really happened that night," he said, his voice dripping with venom. I could feel the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air, the silence stretching as the reality of what he was about to reveal seemed to settle over the room like a storm cloud. Whatever he was about to say would change everything."Tell me if you know anything," I urged, my heart pounding in anticipation, barely able to stand the suffocating tension that filled the space between us.Kevin’s eyes met Max’s, who was lying motionless on the bed with tubes protruding from his arms, and I saw a flicker of guilt flash across Kevi
Hailey*****The sterile hospital walls felt suffocating, their coldness pressing against me as my thoughts swirled in a haze. The pounding of my heart was the only sound I could focus on, as though it was the only thing keeping me tethered to reality. But everything around me seemed so distant, so blurry. Was this real? Or was I trapped in a nightmare?"Hailey…" Hollis’s voice sliced through the fog, trembling as it reached me. His hands, shaking, gripped my shoulders, pulling me back from the abyss. "Wake up… wake up," he begged, desperation lacing his words. I wanted to respond, to assure him I was still here, but my throat felt constricted, and I couldn’t seem to find the words.Max’s lifeless body. The flatline. The images, so vivid, played on an endless loop in my mind, searing themselves into my soul. How could I keep going when I had lost him?“Max’s death, I lost him...” The words barely escaped, raw and broken. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. My heart was shattered, the w
Hailey**** The sterile hospital walls closed in. Hollis’s words repeated: "I’ll always fight for us." But how? How could we survive in this chaos? Max—he’s barely hanging on. And me? I’m just... waiting. Waiting for the bottom to fall out. Max’s condition had stabilized, but the doctors warned us it wouldn’t be easy. He had barely clung to life after the first round of shock, and even though he was breathing on his own again, there was a chilling uncertainty about his recovery. The small victory of his heart beating once more felt fleeting—just a glimmer of hope in an ocean of dread. I stood by the window, staring out at the night, trying to find some solace in the vast, empty sky. The stars above were distant, indifferent, just like the world outside this hospital—cold, uncaring, and relentless. My fingers gripped the sill tightly, a feeble attempt to steady myself. Each breath felt like it carried the unbearable weight of what was happening. Behind me, Hollis’s footsteps echoed
Hailey***The doctors moved with precision, shouting orders as they surrounded Max's bed. "Get the paddles! Charge it to 200!" one of the doctors called out.I felt frozen, trapped in the nightmare I’d always feared. Max, my little boy, was slipping away right before my eyes, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.Hollis’s hands were on my shoulders, trying to hold me together, but even his grip felt like a distant echo of the strength I once found in him. The room spun, the chaos around us nothing but a blur as I focused solely on the lifeless figure of Max."Come on, Max," I whispered through the tears, my voice barely audible above the frantic noises of the ER. "Fight, baby, fight. Please don't leave me."The shock paddles were placed against Max’s chest, and I flinched, my heart sinking as the charge buzzed through the air. The doctors worked quickly, their faces set with determination, but I could feel the heavy weight of hopelessness sinking deep within me.I couldn’t lose
Hailey****The emergency room was a blur of activity, the beeping of machines and the hurried footsteps of medical staff echoing in my ears. My heart raced in time with the chaotic rhythm of the hospital, thoughts scattered and tangled in my head. Every part of me wanted to break down, but I couldn’t. Max needed me.I followed the nurse through the double doors, the sterile smell of antiseptic hitting me like a slap. Hollis was right behind me, his hand gripping mine like a lifeline. The sight of Max lying in a bed, wires and tubes attached to his small body, sent a fresh wave of panic crashing over me. His little face was pale, his body twitching with the involuntary fits the nurse had mentioned.I rushed to his side, my breath catching in my throat as I tried to steady myself. "Max," I whispered, bending over him, my fingers brushing his damp forehead. "Max, baby, can you hear me?"His eyelids fluttered, and for a brief moment, I thought he might wake up. But then, his body jerked a