"So help me build that bond with them," Hollis said with determination in his voice as he looked directly into my eyes. "Help me, please." I sighed, feeling the weight of his request. I don't know what I can do for this guy when I have so many problems of my own to deal with. Ben is after me; I don't have any money; I missed my flight and the job that was about to change my life; but here I am with billionaire Hollis, asking for my help. Great! What a drama is unfolding in my life. "Are you listening to me?" Hollis asked, his eyes searching mine for a response. "Ask me anything; I can give it to you, but help me connect with my children before it's too late," he pleaded. "Anything," I whispered, feeling the weight of his words. Connecting a billionaire with his estranged children seemed like an impossible task, but I knew I had to try. This could be my chance to make a real difference in someone's life and change my life in the process. "Just ask for cash, a house, cars, private
"I will when the time is right," I said, staring at Hollis, who nodded his head in response, understanding the weight of my words.An awkward silence surrounds us as we finish our conversation, both lost in our own thoughts. The tension in the air was palpable, making it clear that there was much left unsaid between us.A yawn escaped from my lips, breaking the heavy atmosphere as my eyes got heavy from exhaustion. Today was filled with odd surprises and unexpected emotions, leaving me drained and in need of rest."It's getting late; you should go to sleep," Hollis suggested, breaking the silence.I nodded my head but lingered a moment longer. "Where should I sleep tonight?" I asked, suddenly unsure of where I belonged in this unfamiliar place.Hollis smiled warmly. "You can take my bed. I will be sleeping in the living room ." I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me at his kindness, feeling a sense of comfort in this moment of vulnerability.But sleeping on a completely strange bed t
“Sorry… I just took a shower to wake myself up,” Hollis replied, grabbing a towel to dry off. “No problem, just be careful next time,” I said with a smile, trying to hide my embarrassment as I tried to walk away from the tempting sight in front of me, but to my worst luck, I slipped on the water covering the floor, with my body falling on top of Hollis and our lips accidentally meeting in a brief, unexpected kiss.The soft touch of Hollis’s lips sent a jolt of electricity through me, leaving me momentarily stunned by the unexpected sensation. His eyes stared at me as if he felt the same intense connection, making my heart race with a mix of excitement and confusion.I tried to separate myself from him but found myself unable to move as we both remained frozen at that moment, unsure of what to do next. The awkward silence that followed was deafening; our eyes locked in a silent exchange of emotions that neither of us could quite decipher. We might have only touched each other for a few
I punch the wall of my room in frustration, feeling the sting in my knuckles as I try to release my pent-up anger. The sound of impact echoes through the room, a physical manifestation of my inner turmoil.“How can I feel these kinds of emotions?” I wonder, “I can’t allow myself to feel anything; I don’t deserve to feel this way.” I mumbled to myself as the sting on my fist intensified, a painful reminder of the chaos brewing within me. The overwhelming sense of guilt and self-doubt threatened to consume me, leaving me feeling lost and alone in my own turmoil.Her scent still lingers in my mind—the touch of silky hair against my skin, the warmth of her embrace. I can’t shake the image of her face from my memory, no matter how hard I try.I want to suck on her pink lips until I make them swollen and bruised. Her chest was touching my bare skin, moving up and down with each breath, creating a rhythm that matched the pounding of my heart. The ache in my chest grew stronger, a physical ma
“You aren’t just a nanny,” he said, his eyes staring deep into hers.I stare at him, at his words, feeling a warmth in my chest, at the sincerity in his voice. But I don’t know what the words mean until he continues, “I mean, you are there, friend.” Hollis said, turning his face away and hiding his gaze from me.Why do I feel like that was not what he meant to say, and he changed his mind at the last minute? Was there something more he wanted to express but couldn’t find the right words?No… I shook my head, dismissing my thoughts. It was probably just a slip of the tongue. There’s no need to over-analyze it. I’m sure it’s nothing important.“He is asleep now,” Hollis added, gesturing towards Max sleeping with his head resting on my chest, as Hollis had him in his arms. “He looks so peaceful,” I remarked, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me as I watched him sleep so soundly.But then, when I noticed how close I was sitting beside Hollis, there seemed to be barely any space in
“Baby girl...” The similar voices echoed in my mind as a shiver ran through my spine. “You know that I love you.” I could feel the warmth of his breath on my neck as he whispered those words, his touch sending a wave of discomfort and unease through my body. It was a stark contrast to the tenderness I once associated with his voice, now tainted by fear and uncertainty.I tried to find my voice, but I could only manage a weak, shaky exhale. “Shhhh...” he hushed me, his grip tightening slightly on my arm. “How can you leave me like this?” His words sent a chill down my spine as I realized the depth of his possessiveness and control over me. My heart raced with a mixture of fear and determination to break free from his grasp.I can feel his grip tightening even more, suffocating me as I struggle to break free.NO…NO….NO. I shouted in my mind as my voice remained trapped in my throat, unable to escape.I touch my face as he cups my cheeks, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and despe
I walked towards the hallway kitchen with Max, who was not awake in my apartment, feeling the weight of responsibility as I prepared to start the day with a young child in my care. Max looked up at me with sleepy eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile at his innocence and trust in me to guide him through the day ahead.“Good morning, Hailey...” Summer ran up to hug my leg, a smile on her face.“Good morning, baby,” I replied, ruffling her hair affectionately before turning my attention back to Max.I turn my head to Hollis, who is sitting in the kitchen, his head buried in some paperwork, a look of concentration on his face. “Good morning, Hollis.” I greeted him with a warm smile, grateful for the support of my family as we faced the day together.“Good morning,” he said without even looking at me, his focus fully on the task at hand.I shook my head slightly, amused by his intense concentration, before turning back to Max and Summer.“So, what’s for breakfast?” I asked, staring at her ti
I feel something tugging on my dress, causing me to turn around in surprise. It was Max, looking up at me with his big, trusting eyes. Maybe this new chapter in my life won’t be so bad after all.“At least I have a cute little companion to keep me company,” I said, kissing both cheeks. My kiss made Max smile as he finished his milk before snuggling up against me.Maybe everything is not going as planned, but Max and Summer are the constants that bring me comfort and joy in this chaotic world. In just two days, they have already made me feel more at ease and loved than I ever thought possible.“You know... Max, I always wanted to have a family of my own, but I have always made the wrong decisions when it comes to relationships,” I admitted, feeling vulnerable. Max nuzzled closer to me, as if understanding and offering silent support in return.I brush his hair back, feeling grateful for his presence in my life. “I don’t know what is happening in life; at one point I was running away fr
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
Hailey***Hollis's grip on me tightened, his body stiffening as he took a shaky breath. The words he was about to say hung in the air like a storm, and I could feel the weight of his confession pressing on me, pulling me into a place I wasn’t ready for."It’s my uncle," he said, his voice strained, barely above a whisper. His eyes were dark, a mix of guilt and anger flashing through them, and I could see the battle inside him. "He’s the one who did this."My stomach dropped. My pulse skipped. The air between us thickened, suffocating me. I shook my head in disbelief, my breath catching. "Your uncle? Why? Why would he do this?"Hollis’s expression hardened, his jaw clenched. For a moment, I could almost hear the pain breaking through his voice. "He’s been trying to destroy me for years," he said, his words weighed down by years of betrayal. "But after Justin’s death… this was the line he crossed his limits."The shock hit me like a punch to the chest. I staggered back, my hands trembli
Hailey****My heart pounded in my chest as I rushed to Max's side. There he was, his small, bloodied body lying motionless on the floor. His face was pale, his forehead marked with a deep gash, and his shirt soaked in crimson. The world around me seemed to blur as my breath hitched, and a sob tore through my chest. I dropped to my knees beside him, my fingers trembling as I brushed against his cold skin. Too cold. Too still."Max... Max!" I cried, desperately shaking him, my voice cracking. My mind was a whirl of frantic thoughts that made no sense. How could this happen? What happened to my baby?Terror gripped me, my pulse roaring in my ears. The room, once just dark and unsettling, felt like it was closing in on me. I could barely breathe. My body screamed at me to do something, anything, but I felt frozen, paralyzed by fear."Max, please... Don’t do this," I whispered through my tears. "Please don’t leave me."I pressed my hand to his neck, desperate for any sign that he was still