"Where are you taking me?" Roseanne inquired, her hand intertwined with his as he guided her across the vast expanse of the mansion. She had forgotten the sheer magnitude of the estate. What wonders lay within its walls that unseen by the world outside? The mansion boasted a private pool, a golf course, and a stable at the back where the finest horses were housed.Nicholas led her towards the stable, his gaze filled with anticipation."Just follow me," he whispered, a hint of excitement dancing in his voice.She sighed but followed him, her curiosity piqued as they arrived at the stable."What are we doing here?" she asked, puzzled."Can you trust me?" Nicholas questioned, his eyes searching hers.She pouted but reluctantly nodded her head.Leading her to the other side, Nicholas revealed a sight that took her breath away—a small foal frolicking on the ground, its pristine beautiful white coat shimmering in the sunlight."Is it for real?" she whispered, hardly daring to believe her e
“What are you doing, Nicholas?” Roseanne said, narrowing her eyes at him. “I'm trying,”Nicholas sighed. “Look at me.”Roseanne looked at him with narrowed eyes. He had smeared his clothes with flour. They were standing in the same kitchen setup that Nicholas had made for her a few days back. One day, he asked Roseanne to teach him how to bake. Who would have thought that she would jump at the idea? He agreed the next day that he was a little tipsy when he said that. But she was in no mood to listen. These days, he had to attend baking classes with her where she was strict and dare he said a violent teacher. If he messed up salt with sugar, she would hit him with a spatula! He felt betrayed and violated. He even saw kids giggling to each other when Roseanne would scold him for mixing salt and sugar. In his defense both were white, transparent and both dissolved in water. When he gave this argument and logic to her, he earned another spatula shot and this time on his ass. He swore t
A few days later. Leon came to Roseanne and asked, “Mommy, can I visit Bella?”Roseanne furrowed her brows. “Bella, as in Mrs Taylor?”Leon nodded his head. “What for?” She asked him. She could not understand Leon's sudden interest in Mrs Taylor. Of course, she knew that Mrs Taylor was a regular visitor at their house when she was in hospital. According to Nicholas, she greatly helped Leon when he had shut himself in his world. “I don't know, but I want to meet her,” Leon said. He was being stubborn right now. He wished to meet her so much. “Sweetheart, we cannot just go to someone's home,” Roseanne told him. “She is now the first lady of the country. If you need to meet her, you need permission.”“Nicholas will get me permission if you tell him, ”Leon said. “He can,” Roseanne said. “But why shall we disturb him? He is busy with work.”Leon acted willfully, “Mommy, I really wanna meet her.”She sighed, “I know, son. However, it's hard to see her.”“Can you not do anything?”He ask
"Mr. Leon, there is a call for you." A maid entered his room and handed him the phone.Leon answered, "Hello?"He had an inkling of who was on the call. Not many people could call Hart House and request to speak with him. Even his old friends didn't call him anymore since he moved to the USA. "Hey, why did you email me instead of calling?" Mrs. Taylor asked abruptly.Without even a greeting, she fired the question, expecting a direct answer. Only Leon could understand her language truly, and he didn't need to pretend like everyone else. He understood her because they were similar kinds of people: blunt, rude, fussy, and cranky. They liked things to be according to their own preferences. They also understood things if someone tried to explain without making them feel stupid for their actions. If treated in the right manner, they were capable of doing anything if asked.“Did you give me your number?" he asked. How could he call her when she left him without communication? Shouldn't she
On the other hand, two assistants were baffled to see her so upset. They had not expected her to see her so upset suddenly. She went outside and saw her husband busy with official work and went to her bedroom. She wanted to be coaxed by her husband, but she didn't do anything since he was really busy with work. On the way, Beatrice encountered her, but seeing the latter's face like this, she didn't comment anything. When she met Sabrina, she said, “Did Dad scold our stepmom?”“Why?” Sabrina asked. She didn't hear any loud commotion outside. One could not just scold Mrs Taylor and get away with it. The woman would make such a big scene, and you would wonder why did you had to start an issue with her. However, when it came to her husband, she always made a relatively less issue. “She looked pathetic,” Beatrice said with a chuckle, “It only happens when he scolds her and she has made a huge mistake.”Truth be told, Beatrice claims to hate her stepmother. However, it was not entirely t
Roseanne went to the living room in the afternoon as she was busy the whole day helping the children study. The online school had been helping them keep everything on track. They liked and hated it at the same time. They hated that they could not meet friends at school and liked that they did not have to go to school every day. She heard voices of laughter coming from the living room and was surprised to see Mrs Taylor and Beatrice sitting there with Ellora. She greeted them as their eyes met. Beatrice was just polite on the surface and ignored her while Mrs Taylor came to talk to her. “Can I meet Leon?” Mrs Taylor asked. They were acting as if nothing had passed between them and they were as normal as ever. Roseanne nodded, “Umm, sure. He has been wanting to talk to you for a long time. But since you are busy, I did not disturb you.”If she judged this woman on one incident, she would make a mistake. She didn't want her anywhere near Leon but she couldn't forget that Mrs Taylor t
“Hey, buddy?” Mrs Taylor said as she peeked into Leon's room. He was using his computer. He out his headphones down and looked at her. She said with a wide smile, “Are you happy to see me?”“Why would I be?” He asked in a very grumbling tone. He dropped the bomb, “We are not even friends.”She gasped. How could someone be so young and brutal with words? He could not just break her fragile heart! He added, “We broke up.”Now it was getting too much. She was not going to approve this break up. She said to him, “Just like I don't remember when we became friends, I don't remember breaking up either.”She added, “I know you are happy to see me. Show it on your face.”He gave her a fake smile. Hah! “Can you forgive me?” she asked in a soft tone. Of course, a hard tone was not going to work on him. After all, they both were the same kind of people who didn't take hardness well. He said with an attitude, “Only on one condition.”She was ready to do anything for his forgiveness, “Okay. I
“If you cannot find me, just give me a call,” Nicholas told Roseanne as he was walking beside her and entered the big auditorium. He was attending an annual event for the business association. This time, he asked Roseanne if she would like to join him as his plus one. Luckily enough, she did not decline his offer. Of course, he knew that she came more for her own benefit but he was glad that she came with him. Because of lawsuit on her cafe for tax evasion, her cafe was getting in losses. No matter what strategy she used, it would not work out well. She and her financial team came up with a suggestion that she could collaborate with another company. A few names were suggested and she selected one of them. Luckily enough the planning director of the company was supposed to attend the event with the CEO. She decided to tag along with Nicholas. She was glad that even though she told him the real motive behind her visit, he didn't appear upset. “I will be going back stage,” Nicholas to
EpilogueThree Years Later“Dr. Hart?”Abella turned around to see a nurse hurrying toward her.“The patient in the NICU is responding to the medication,” the nurse informed her. “Could you check on her?”Without hesitation, Abella rushed to the NICU, her heart throbbing fast. That morning, the baby girl’s condition had been critical, but now, as she looked into those tiny, bright eyes, she felt a wave of relief.“Hey there, sweetheart,” Abella cooed, smiling warmly. “You’re such a fighter. You fought so hard to be here with your mom and dad.”The baby stared up at her, and Abella’s heart melted.“Yes, you’re such a strong, big girl,” she whispered, gently touching the baby’s hand.Outside the NICU, the parents expressed their gratitude; their tearful smiles reminded Abella why she had chosen this path. In moments like these, she was reminded of how beautiful it was to help save these little angels. But there were also the heartbreaking days, the ones where some angels didn’t make it.
Meanwhile, Kate and Rhys were sitting with Anne.“Why is Aunt suddenly changing colors?” Rhys asked.“Because she knows she was wrong and wants back what she lost,” Kate said matter-of-factly.Anne chuckled. “Kate, as much as I love your straightforward attitude, I’d appreciate it if you toned it down in front of Emery. She is… well, very touchy and fussy.”Kate shrugged. “MIL, I have a complaint. Coco and Sia had a girls’ day without me! Can you imagine? I’m trying to be as cool as them, but they left me out!”Rhys suppressed a chuckle. “Yes, Mom, they left my dear Kate out.”Anne played along. “That’s terrible, I’ll scold them,”“Yes, scold them well,” Kate agreed, then added mischievously, “but don’t tell them I snitched. Just say it was Rhys.”Anne smiled. “Alright, dear.” Then, she glanced at Kate. “I saw you have been spending time with Abella. How’s that going? I know you two weren’t close.”Kate sighed. “Everyone coddles her too much. She is living in disillusionment. Coco and
It was a beautiful day that was filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Anne and Nicholas’s wedding anniversary had brought the entire family together, and the house was buzzing with warmth and joy.Nicholas turned to Anne as his eyes were soft with affection. “We have been together for forty years,” he said, a gentle smile on his lips.Anne smiled back, a touch of nostalgia in her gaze. “Yes, we made it this far.”Leaning in, Nicholas pressed a tender kiss to her lips. “Thank you for giving me the chance to be your husband.”Anne’s voice was barely above a whisper as she responded, “Thank you for fighting for us.”Just then, Leon and Coco appeared out of nowhere while wrapping their arms around their parents in a tight hug. “If anyone deserves the credit, it’s us!” Leon declared with a grin. “We made sure you two ended up together.”Nicholas and Anne exchanged amused glances before nodding. “Yes,” Nicholas agreed, “and we’re very thankful for your scheming. Turns out, it w
“Did you match into your preferred branch of residency?” Madam Facci asked, excitement filling her voice.Abella swallowed. “Ma, I’m still checking the results,” she admitted. “I’m scared.”“You have nothing to be scared of, my dear. Just look,” she heard. With a deep breath, Abella entered her credentials for the residency match. Her eyes darted across the screen as the words appeared before her.“I…” Her voice caught in her throat.“What is it?” Madam Facci asked eagerly.“Pediatrics…” Abella whispered in disbelief.A joyful gasp came from the other end. “Oh my god! I am so happy for you, dear!”Abella’s chest tightened as she read the rest. “With NYU…” she murmured. “If I accept it, I will have to stay in New York.”Was she ready for this?Madam Facci’s voice was warm and reassuring. “Whatever you choose, we are proud of you. You’ve worked hard for this. Don’t overthink it, just enjoy this moment. You did it, Abella. I’m so, so proud of you.”That evening, the entire family gather
Augustus Hart was born a healthy, chubby baby with a bald head, looking absolutely perfect in every way. His arrival was so sudden that only Callum and Estelle were present at the hospital when her water broke. They barely had time to inform anyone, but Abella rushed over as soon as she found out.The moment Callum stepped out of the delivery room and saw his sister waiting outside, a wave of emotions hit him all at once. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight hug.“Congratulations, brother. I’m so proud of you,” Abella whispered, pressing a kiss to his cheek.Callum let out a shaky breath, still overwhelmed. “When did you get here?”“Just now,” she said with a smile. “How’s Estelle?”“Tired,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “Still cursing me.”Abella chuckled. “And the baby?”“Just perfect,” Callum said, his eyes softening. “Come inside. She is going to be so happy to see you.”When Estelle saw Abella, she let out a small gasp before pulling her into a long, tight
After her divorce, Abella didn’t leave the country. Cillian had given her a staggering sum in alimony, even going as far as naming half of his assets to her, but she refused to take a single dime. She had her own inheritance. More money than she could ever need. But what could wealth do? It couldn’t buy her happiness. It couldn’t fill the void in her heart.Cillian knew her too well; he didn’t push her to accept anything. He let her go, even when it shattered him.When her mother lived in Italy with Coco and Leon, alongside her uncle Nate, she had bought a beautiful bungalow. It had never been sold, left untouched over the years. When Abella married Cillian, Leon had given her the key to that house as a quiet token of their family’s past. There were two bungalows beside each other, one where her mother had raised her two older siblings, and the other where her father had stayed, the place where her parents had met and reunited. One had been passed down to Charlotte, the other to Leon.
Cillian stared at her, his throat tightening as he heard the finality in her voice. He had imagined this conversation a thousand different ways, but none of them had prepared him for the calm and almost serene acceptance in her eyes.“Abella…” He whispered her name like a prayer, like a plea. “Can we please rethink this?”Abella smiled. It was a soft, bittersweet smile that made his chest ache.“Cillian, there is nothing to rethink,” she said gently. “Alessandro came to see me. He told me that he was leaving the country with his mother. He said he doesn’t want to come between us, that he would be happy if you called him once in a while and only if it was okay with me.” She let out a humorless chuckle. “That’s too big of a burden for me to carry. I mean, I don’t care how you navigate your relationship with your son. But I will give you one piece of advice: don’t be a jerk. Don’t hurt one more person. You have already hurt me, you have hurt him, and you have hurt his mother. Stop making
Cillian reached for her hand, his grip firm but trembling as well. “Abella, please listen to me. I’m sorry. I made a mistake by not telling you the truth. Can you please forgive me?” His voice cracked with desperation.She looked at him, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know,” she said softly.Cillian’s breath hitched, and he tried again. “Please, I’ll change. I’ll work on myself. Just give me a chance.” His hands clenched at his sides as if willing himself not to break apart. “I don’t want to see you like this, so shattered. You mean so fucking much to me. Please.”But to Abella, his words felt like echoes in an empty room. They were hollow and weightless. Once upon a time, she had longed to hear them, had dreamed of a moment where he would look at her like this, beg for her, choose her. But now? Now, they felt unimportant. They meant nothing.She exhaled, rubbing her temple. “I heard you. But my head is splitting apart, Cillian. Can you please just go back to your house? I just w
Madam Facci looked at her son, her expression undecipherable. She had seen Cillian walk through storms without flinching, but today, he stood before her looking utterly wrecked. His usually sharp eyes were bloodshot, his arm wound had reopened, staining his sleeve with fresh blood, yet none of that seemed to matter to him or anyone at this point.“What do you want, Cillian?” she asked, her voice firm but not unkind.“I’m here to see Abella,” he said. His voice was hoarse, almost desperate.Madam Facci crossed her arms. “I’m sure you have no idea what happened last night.”“I know,” he admitted, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. “I just want to explain things to her. She is overthinking this, and there is nothing much to overthink. I just—” He exhaled sharply. “I just want to make everything okay.”A wry smile tugged at Madam Facci’s lips, but there was no amusement in her eyes. “Son,” she said, “we can never tell someone what is worth overthinking or not. For you, th