"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
Hailey***The night sky stretched out above us like a blanket of stars, the villa bathed in golden light, as though the universe itself was celebrating this moment with us. It was a night of endings and beginnings—a night where we would seal our future with the promise of love, joy, and family.We all returned to the old house, the villa where we had shared so many memories. It was filled with a sense of nostalgia, yet excitement for what was to come, as if everything we’d fought for was now within our reach.I stood in front of the grand fireplace, the flames casting a warm, flickering glow across the room. The villa, with its rustic charm and luxurious touches, felt like home—not just a house, but the foundation of the life we were building together.Summer and Max were tucked into bed, their soft breaths filling the quiet house. The stillness was peaceful, broken only by the occasional hum of the night air and the distant call of crickets. The world outside was calm, but inside, my
Hailey***The evening air was cool yet soothing, wrapping the farmhouse in a stillness that only the countryside could offer. As the first stars began to sprinkle the deepening indigo sky, the farmhouse seemed to glow with a warmth that hadn’t been there before. It wasn’t just a hiding place anymore—it was a sanctuary, a space where love and healing had begun to take root.I stood at the edge of the garden, watching Hollis and Summer as they worked side by side. Their laughter blended with the soft rustle of leaves, a melody of simple joy. Little Max toddled after them, his chubby hands grasping at flowers with an earnestness that only a one-year-old could muster. My hand instinctively rested on the curve of my belly, a habit that had become second nature. The new life growing inside me was a quiet reminder of hope and resilience.The sight before me filled my heart with peace, fragile yet overwhelming. After everything we’d endured, it was hard to believe we were here—together. The w
Hailey***The farmhouse had always been both a haven and a cage—a place far removed from the chaos that had consumed our lives. It was where I could pretend, even for a moment, that the world beyond its weathered walls didn’t exist. The isolation was a strange kind of comfort, one that held both solace and loneliness. The days passed quietly, the rhythm of the countryside punctuated only by the laughter of my children or the occasional rustle of wind through the trees.Summer, who had always been shy and reserved, had shown a bright curiosity these past few days. The seven-year-old had taken to exploring the nearby fields, dragging her little brother Max behind her like a loyal shadow. At just over a year old, Max was the perfect mimic, his chubby hands reaching for flowers or clapping at birds that flitted overhead. Watching them filled my heart with a fragile kind of peace. Here, they were safe. Here, they were untouched by the dangers that lurked outside.That morning, I busied mys
Hollis***The world I had once known—the world that had held me captive for so long—had finally crumbled. It wasn't just what my grandfather had done to me. It was everything he had done to the people who couldn’t protect themselves. The families he destroyed in his pursuit of power, the lives he crushed beneath his heel. I had suffered, but the worst part was always what he did to them, to those who trusted him. Now, finally, the time had come to make him pay. Slowly, methodically, piece by piece, I would tear him apart. Years of planning and waiting had led to this moment, and I was ready to exact my revenge with a cold determination that matched his own cruelty. He would regret ever crossing me.But even now, sitting in his seat, there’s a moment of hesitation. A part of me wonders—what if this isn’t enough? What if revenge won’t fix what was broken? I’d spent months walking a tightrope, pretending, smiling, nodding, showing the world I was the weak, compliant heir he wanted me to
Hailey***A few months have passed. I can still feel the ache in my chest, like a constant companion. It’s become a part of me now, something I carry with every breath. The farmhouse is quiet. Too quiet. Every creak of the floorboards, every gust of wind that rattles the windows, feels like a reminder of what’s missing. Him.In this foreign country, with only the sprawling fields and endless sky for company, silence is suffocating. The outside world feels like it’s moving—always in motion—while I’m trapped in this stillness. I long for the noise, the chaos, the comfort of someone else’s voice. But here, with only my own thoughts echoing in the empty rooms, I’ve become too aware of every passing second.I walk into the kitchen, my bare feet silent against the cool floor, my movements automatic. Max is sitting on the floor with his blocks, his laughter a bright, shining contrast to the dark cloud hanging over me. His joy is innocent, pure—but it only deepens the hollow inside me. It rem
Hailey***I never imagined this would be how it ends—this final moment between us, the last time I hold her, touch her, feel her warmth. But here we are. Time has been slipping through my fingers like sand, and I can’t stop it. The reality of what I’m doing weighs on me. I know what it means for Hailey, for me, and for all of us. But this is the only way to protect her. To protect them.I watch her in the soft light, the way her eyes search mine as though trying to find an answer, some reassurance. But I don’t have one to give her. Not anymore. There’s nothing left except this moment, and I want to give it to her fully. To make it count.Her hands tremble slightly as she reaches for me, her touch tentative but longing. I step into her embrace, feeling the heat of her body against mine, and the moment she wraps her arms around me, pulling me close, I feel my heart crack a little more. I don’t want to let go either. Not now. Not ever.Her lips find mine, soft but urgent, as though they’
Hailey***A month has passed, but it feels like years. Hollis's wounds have finally healed, but the ache in my heart still remains. The memories of that day haunt me, replaying in my mind, a constant reminder of the pain and loss I endured. I fear that the scars will never fully fade, no matter how much time passes. But now there’s a new pain, different from the physical and emotional wounds I’ve known before. It’s the pain of separation, the feeling of being lost without someone who once meant everything to me. The emptiness inside grows deeper with each passing day, leaving me longing for a sense of wholeness that may never return.The house is so quiet now—too quiet. Without Summer’s laughter echoing through the halls or Max’s tiny giggles filling the air, it feels hollow. Every room reminds me of them. Every corner holds the weight of what’s been lost.I sit on the couch, cradling a photo frame in my trembling hands. The smiles staring back at me feel like a lifetime ago. A fragme
Hailey***The silence between us was suffocating, a heavy weight pressing down on my chest as I tried to steady my breath. My fingers gripped Hollis tightly, as though by holding him in my arms, I could shield him from the pain that clung to him like a shadow. His past, the betrayal of his father, the haunting loss of his mother—each memory swirled around us, invisible but all-encompassing. I could feel the rawness of it in his every breath, and it broke my heart to know how deep the wounds ran.For a moment, I closed my eyes, allowing the rhythmic thrum of his heartbeat to ground me. I let the sound wash over me, offering a moment of peace amid the storm that raged inside him. But as I exhaled, a harsh truth settled in my chest. He didn’t want history to repeat itself. He didn’t want to become like his father—the man who had been torn apart by forces beyond his control, the man who had lost everything in his desperate attempts to hold onto something that could never be his.It was a
Hailey***"If you want to see me alive again, you have to leave now," Hollis said firmly. "Or do you want to see my dead body lying in front of you?"The words hung in the air, suffocating, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. My heart raced, each beat louder than the last, my body trembling as I struggled to grasp what he was asking. I stared at him, searching his face for any sign of doubt, some indication that this was just another cruel game, another way to push me away. But there was nothing. His expression was cold, almost empty, and yet in his eyes, I could see the pain—the broken pieces of the man I once knew.I took a shaky breath, feeling as though the world were closing in on me. How could he ask me to leave him? How could he force me to leave him with the children?But deep down, I knew—he wasn’t asking; he was pleading. This wasn’t a choice anymore; it was a sacrifice, one I had to make to keep us all safe. The weight of it crushed me, but I knew there was no other wa