“Charlotte Hart! This is your last warning, get your butt back home, or I will be on the next flight to Paris tomorrow!” Anne’s voice was sharp over the phone.Charlotte tried to reason, “But, mommy, I have work…”Anne cut her off, her tone firm. “Do you really want me to shut down all the art galleries in Paris? Because trust me, I have the power to do it.”Charlotte pouted, rolling her eyes, “Mommy, you are threatening me now?”She was not taking her mother lightly right now because she knew that Anne Rose Swift Hart had enough influence to do what she said. She was seriously scared of this woman who was no less than a force of nature. While Anne looked soft while Sabrina looked strict, Charlotte was still more scared of Anne than Sabrina. “Oh, I haven’t even started yet,” Anne replied with a chuckle. “I want you home for dinner tomorrow. Be there.”Charlotte hesitated, “Is it really that important for me to come?”Anne’s voice softened with a hint of concern. “Sia is coming over f
“Sia, when will you get here?” Leon asked, trying to sound calm evn though the excitement in his voice was very high. Tonight was a big deal as Sia was finally meeting his family for dinner. His mother had spent days planning every little detail to make the evening special.There was a pause on the other end of the line before Sia sighed. “Leon, I’m so sorry. I’m stuck in traffic. I didn’t mean to be late, but Kate wasn’t feeling well so I went to drop her off. Honestly, I don’t understand why she insists on living all the way in Brooklyn when I pay her so generously.”Leon frowned slightly. “Wait, Sia, are you driving?”“Yes,” she admitted. “Kate started off driving but she wasn’t feeling up to it so I took over. She needed to rest.”Leon’s tone softened instantly. “Don’t worry about being late, baby. Just drive safely, okay? That’s all that matters. Everyone here will understand.”“But Leon,” Sia said, her voice trembling slightly, “I don’t want your parents to think poorly of me for
“Sia,” Leon began gently, his hand wrapping around hers, “I know we are supposed to go to my parents’ place for dinner…”She hesitated, guilt clouding her eyes. “Leon, I... I just want to check on him. The man I—” Her voice faltered.Leon gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “You want to see how he is doing, don’t you?”She nodded, her expression heavy with regret. “I know my team is handling everything, but I don’t want to be that rich woman who almost kills someone and then throws money at the problem through her people. That’s not who I am. I feel awful, Leon. I haven’t driven in so long. I should have known better. This wouldn’t have happened if I had just let someone else drive.”She did not wish to be someone who hurts people and yet be prideful. Someone could have lost his life because of her mistake. She knew that she was taking Leon for granted but right now she was not seeing any other person. Leon cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing away a lone tear threatening to fall. “
The boy nodded with pride shining for his dad in his eyes. “My dad is an army veteran. He fought in many wars for this country and won them.”Sia’s gaze darkened with understanding but there was a hint of bitterness in her voice when she asked, “And when he got injured, they just dropped him like he didn’t do anything for this great country?”The boy’s lips curved into a small smile while his blue eyes reflected both pride and sorrow. “You see, Miss Swift, my dad’s duty was to protect our country because he took the oath. When he became a soldier, he didn’t care about benefits or anything like that. He was a true patriot. He did what he felt was right. Even when he got injured, he didn’t mind. He did what he wanted, and he did it until he couldn’t anymore.”He stared at his father’s sleeping face through the glass and said, “The physical injuries didn’t break him... it is the emotional wounds that did.”Sia replied gently, “Whether you agree or not, I injured your father, and I’m resp
When Sia and Leon arrived at the Hart house, it was late. Almost midnight and the house was quiet. Everyone had gone to bed. Sia felt a wave of guilt for not coming earlier but as they stepped inside, they were surprised to see Anne and Nicholas sitting in the living room and yawning as if trying to fight sleep.Sia froze for a moment at the sight of them.Leon, noticing her hesitation, asked, “Mom, Dad, why are you still awake?”Anne smiled warmly and said, “We called Sia home. How could we sleep without seeing her first?” She stood and walked over to Sia, taking her hand. “Welcome to our family, Sia.”Sia stiffened slightly, but then she moved to hug Anne. The gesture was a bit awkward but she tried her best. “I’m really sorry for coming late, Mrs. Hart.”Anne waved her hand dismissively while a smile played on her lips. “Nonsense! I’m just happy you’re here and safe.”Nicholas, who had been standing by, stepped forward with a grin. “It is so nice to see you, Sia. And thank you for a
The next morning, Leon’s eyes fluttered open, his senses alert as he felt someone warm glued to his side. Without looking, he grabbed the intruder’s hand and grumbled, “Sia, baby, I’m really mad at you.”Sia’s sleepy voice whispered, “I’m sorry, Leon. I forgot we were at your parents’ house. I got too excited to see Charlotte. It’s been months!”Leon groaned dramatically, turning his head to glare at her. “Excuses, excuses. I will forgive you, but only if you make it up to me right now.”Sia, rubbing her eyes, nodded enthusiastically. “I will!”Grinning mischievously, Leon guided her hand under the blanket, pressing it against his very evident morning situation. Her eyes shot wide open as she yanked her hand back.“Leon!” she whisper-shouted. “We are at your parents’ house!”He leaned closer while his lips grazed her ear as he murmured, “Baby, do you think my parents produced four kids by being shy?”Before Sia could retort, he flipped their positions with impressive speed and pressed
Holding the plate of treats, Sia followed Anne to the kitchen where she was treated to more delicacies. Muffins, tarts, pastries, Anne pulled out all the stops. Sia tried everything with childlike enthusiasm. An hour later, Anne and Sia finally reappeared, both looking incredibly pleased with themselves. Sia had crumbs on her shirt and a satisfied glow, while Anne looked very happy. Leon and Nicholas were seated at the dining table and deep in discussion about some business deal. Leon glanced up and smirked at Sia. “You have been gone so long, I was starting to think Mom adopted you as her official taste-tester.”Sia plopped down beside him while rubbing her full stomach. “If she did, I wouldn’t complain. Your mom is a genius in the kitchen.”Nicholas chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee. “Careful, Sia. She will keep feeding you until you can’t leave.”Anne smiled smugly. “That is the plan.”Leon shook his head, laughing as he reached for a muffin. “Great. Now I’m competing with my ow
Sabrina caught Sia’s eye and with a playful smile, said, “How are you doing, dear?”Sia turned toward her while giving a polite nod. “Hello, Miss Sabrina. It is very nice to see you.”Sabrina raised an eyebrow. “How formal! Come here and hug me.”Sia hesitated for just a moment before stepping forward and hugging Sabrina. It was a bit awkward at first, but soon enough, Sia found herself relaxing in the embrace. They held the hug for a moment, and then Sia pulled back, her smile warm. “How was Africa?”Sabrina smiled back, a faint trace of exhaustion in her eyes. “Tired but very fulfilling.”Sia nodded with a soft smile. “That is good to hear.”Sabrina leaned back with a teasing grin. “Well, I must thank you for taking the worry of our sappy Romeo off our heads,” she said, eyeing Leon with a playful smirk.Leon groaned, rolling his eyes. “Not you too, Sab.”Sabrina huffed dramatically. “What? You were like a sad little boy who got left behind. Finally, I see the old Leon back. You were
It was a beautiful day when Aurora Swift Hart was born. She had troubled her mother a lot while getting comfortable in her mother’s tummy, but when she finally arrived, she did so without causing much pain. Aurora’s daddy began crying even before she could, as she opened her tiny eyes to a world she wasn’t yet used to. She wondered who the real crybaby was—her daddy or her. “I told you it’s a baby girl,” Aurora heard her daddy say, his voice filled with emotion as he cried fat tears. Her mommy, on the other hand, just smiled at her. If she could smile, she would because her mommy was so brave, loving, and comforting. Oh no, her mommy was the best! Especially when the nurse showed her how to be her food. But that was a topic for another time. “You won, Leon!” Aurora’s mommy said to her crybaby daddy. “What name have you chosen for the baby girl?” the doctor asked with a smile, looking at Leon, who was struggling to contain his excitement. “I want to know too,” Aurora heard he
“Our family is finally completed, ”Anne said with a big smile. She looked at her kids who were bickering as usual on the dining table. Leon and Sia were sitting on one side and Charlotte and Sebastain on another. Sia was in her eighth month of pregnancy and extremely fragile while Charlotte was wuite healthy and even though she was pregnant, she was no fragile woman! Charlotte Hart King could still take down a man or two! “Our family was always completed,”Nicholas said with a smile. “Now it is time for our kids to have family of their own. Leon and Charlotte are already starting their family with their respective spouses. Rhys has Nico. Its just Callum that I worry about.”Anne said, “Actually, I learnt one lesson in life. We cannot control the lives of our kids forever. Although we want to keep them safe from all the harms, it is still not possible. Because they are the main characters of their lives. And main characters always have their struggles. We are nothing but supporting cha
What does forever feel like? Sia and Leon weren't quite sure. But ask them what love feels like—love that’s about trying to be there for each other, even when things are hard, and trying to love each other for as long as they’re breathing—and they’ll look at each other with tender eyes and give you a smile. It was a normal day for Leon. His girlfriend woke up and decided to flip the script. The couple sat at breakfast in their safe haven—home, the place they had built together. The meal was something Sia adored, and Leon couldn’t help but wonder if that wide smile on her face had something to do with the food—her favorite, sent over by his mother, Anne. Ever since Sia and Charlotte were pregnant, Anne had been sending meals packed with love and nutrients. It was a tradition now, one that seemed to brighten their days. Leon was sure it wasn’t just the taste of the food Sia adored, it was the love and care Anne put into it, the same kind of love and care Sia was a sucker for.
Happiness had settled into the Hart family. The two pregnant women were treated like delicate glass, cherished and fussed over by everyone. Sia was six months along but barely looked a day over her first trimester, while Charlotte, at five months, had already popped and was unmistakably pregnant. While Sia’s pregnancy was challenging due to her health issues, Charlotte was in perfect health, glowing with happiness and vitality.Today, Sebastian brought Charlotte to her favourite food spot. She had been craving different foods all day. Sia had once joked that Charlotte was gaining more “food weight” than pregnancy weight which earned her an exaggerated glare from Charlotte.“Did you ask for an extra scoop of ice cream?” Charlotte asked, her eyes glowing with anticipation.“I sure did,” Sebastian replied with a knowing smile. “I may have even ordered a special dish you might like.”Charlotte beamed, her dimples deepened. “Aren’t you the best husband in the whole wide world?”He smirked.
Sia watched as Charlotte and Sebastian cried and laughed together while holding each other in pure joy. Sebastian had arrived with a huge bouquet for his wife, and the moment he saw her, he dropped to his knees and hugged her stomach, whispering over and over how happy and blessed he was to have her.Seeing them celebrate their love and impending parenthood made Sia emotional. Her best friend had finally found the love she truly deserved. Not wanting to intrude on their perfect romantic moment, she quietly walked back home with a soft smile on her lips.As she stepped inside, Leon was already there, waiting for her.“Hi,” Leon greeted. “Is everything okay?”Sia nodded, her eyes still glistening with happiness. “I am very happy. So happy that I cannot even put it into words.”Leon studied her face as warmth spread through his chest. “That is very good to hear. But would you like to tell me what happened?”She wrapped her arms around him while hugging him tightly. “Charlotte and Sebasti
Charlotte pulled something from her pocket and handed it to Sia. As Sia saw it, her eyes widened. She immediately hugged Charlotte. “You are pregnant?”Charlotte nodded, tears welling in her eyes.“Why are you crying?” Sia asked gently. “This is such happy news! Silly girl.” She paused before looking at Charlotte. “You do not want the baby? It is okay, I will not judge you.”Charlotte shook her head through her tears. “No, I do. I already love the baby. But we just got married after only a month of dating, and now a baby. He is not ready for that.”“Did he say that?” Sia asked.Charlotte shook her head. “No, but…”Sia rolled her eyes, smiling a little. “You are being silly. You both need to talk. If you do not talk to him and keep making assumptions, you will ruin your relationship. You need to talk to him.”Charlotte hesitated. “Now?”Sia nodded. “I think it is better to talk now. Otherwise, you will just end up crying more.”With a deep breath, Charlotte took her phone, put it on sp
Another month passed in the blink of an eye.Sia was now fourteen weeks pregnant. The doctors had assured her that the baby was healthy and it was only she who remained weak. With the end of her first trimester, her nausea and mood swings had subsided. She was finally feeling a little better and getting some much-needed relief.Despite being fourteen weeks along, she still had no visible baby bump. Her stomach remained as flat as ever, and she often joked about having an "invisible baby."Leon had completed his project in Switzerland, and the two of them had grown even closer. Living there had also strengthened Sia’s bond with Bella who had been a great support during her pregnancy. Now, the couple was finally ready to return home to New York.Charlotte had also returned from her honeymoon, and she and Sebastian were settling back into their home which was conveniently located right next to Sia and Leon’s.Throughout the flight, Sia and Leon discussed how they would break the news of
“Let’s talk,” Alisha said, her voice filled with determination. Since Sia already heard about her feelings, there was no point in hiding them. Instead, she wanted to have a woman-to-woman conversation. Sia raised an eyebrow, her tone casual. “What do we have to talk about?”Her attitude was saying that her little confession did not bother her. “About what you just heard…” Alisha tried to explain, her voice wavering slightly.Sia’s lips curled into a smile. “You like Leon. Even a puppy could tell. I just heard what I always knew. It didn’t bother me then, and it certainly doesn’t bother me now.”Did she even need Alisha’s confession to prove her claims? She was too damn smart to smell the danger from any side. Alisha frowned. “Aren’t you insecure?”Sia laughed lightly. “Insecure? About what?”“Are you pretending to be calm and collected, or is it real?” Alisha pressed.Sia arched an eyebrow. “What do you think?”This girl…she was quite amusing now, other times, quite annoying. Alis
The wedding had ended, and the newlyweds had set off on their month-long honeymoon. With them away, the family gradually fell back into their usual routines.Today, the Hart family had invited Carter and his daughter, Serafina, for a meal.Bella’s sharp eyes landed on a young girl talking to Callum. She immediately noticed the girl’s obvious crush on him. Callum, on the other hand, was polite but distant and his kindness was more out of courtesy than genuine interest."Is that your daughter?" Bella asked, turning to Carter.Carter smiled. "Yes, that’s my lovely Serafina."Serafina offered a soft shy greeting. “Hello.”Bella studied her for a moment before nodding approvingly. "What a gorgeous girl."At her words, both Anne and Sia turned toward her as they were intrigued by what was going on in Bella’s mind."What do you do, dear?" Bella asked.“I work in Miss Swift’s company,” Serafina answered.Bella raised an eyebrow and looked at Sia. “What is with you?”Sia just smiled knowingly.