Robert groggily opened his eyes to find Carolyn standing beside his bed, a radiant smile on her face."Good morning, dearie," Carolyn said, her voice husky.Robert rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. "Only a good morning is okay, Carolyn."Carolyn's smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "Fine….You have a visitor. She says her name is Natalie."Robert's mind struggled to place the name. "Natalie..." he murmured, and then it clicked – Emma's friend.He nodded, throwing off the covers. "Alright, I'll see her."But Carolyn's grip on his arm halted him."Who on earth is Natalie?" Carolyn asked, her voice tinged with possessiveness.Robert raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care?"Carolyn's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you're flirting with some teenage girl."Robert's patience began to fray. "For goodness' sake, Carolyn, you're my ex-wife, not my wife. Do not overstep your boundaries, maintain peace please just for the kids."Carolyn's smile twi
“Who the fuck is Emma?” she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. “And they had a one-night stand? How could Robert do such a thing?”She let the letter fall to the floor as if it had burned her. Carolyn’s mind raced, the words swirling in her head like a storm she couldn’t control. Emma. The name felt foreign and dangerous, like a curse she didn’t understand. And one-night stand? With Robert? Her ex husband? Probably that's too much for her to understand.Carolyn’s legs buckled, and she sat on the edge of the bed, hands trembling. She felt like the ground had been ripped out from under her, leaving her suspended in a void. Robert had never mentioned anyone named Emma. But the letter—the words—there was no mistaking the truth.Her initial reaction was one of hurt. Not because she still loved him—Not that, it had died long before the ink dried on their divorce papers—but because he had moved on. He was supposed to be the one suffering after the divorce, the one regretting every de
ROBERT POVIvy nodded and left the room, leaving me alone with Kian."What’s going on, man?" I asked, sensing something was off with him. Kian usually radiated confidence, but today there was something different—something heavier in his demeanor.He sat down, hesitating for a moment. "I met someone last night and…."I raised an eyebrow, not in the mood for one of his club stories. "Don’t start please."“Cant you just listen to what I have to say first?” Kia asked“It's about a girl, you met at the club, I am not in for that Kian” I said my voice low and firmHe smirked but there was a sadness behind his eyes. "Yeah you are right and No, it’s not like that. I actually talked to her, you know? But she didn’t even look me in the eye."I leaned forward, intrigued despite myself. "Now that’s rare for a rich guy like you to be snubbed, she must be a strange and different girl.""Tell me about it, why did that happen? I was in the club buying drinks and spraying lots of cash but she wasn't ev
ROBERT POV“Sir, there is more,” Ivy said, her voice low and firm, with a warm smile.“What again Ivy?” I asked feeling frustrated “Mr. Kian hasn't left” she said I nodded “Okay, fine let him be”“And again sir, you still have some documents left to sign on” Ivy said I rubbed my temples. "I’ll handle it later. Anything else?"Ivy hesitated, looking at Kian before turning her gaze back to me. "I also noticed you’ve been distracted all morning. If you need to talk—""I’m fine, Ivy," I said a bit too quickly. "Just...go handle things for me, okay?"She nodded, casting one last glance at Kian before slipping out the door.Kian waited until she was gone before he could come in. "What’s going on with you, man? You’ve been off your game lately."I sighed, rubbing my hands over my face. "It’s Carolyn. She’s back in town and I don't like it."Kian’s eyes widened. "Your ex? Why didn’t you say anything?""I didn’t think it mattered," I muttered, fiddling with the pen on my desk. "She’s stayin
NINA POVI picked up my phone, hesitating for a moment before dialling Robert's number. The phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled it out, his eyes scanning the screen. Emma."Maybe she called because of the letter she sent me, and I haven't even opened it yet" he thought to himself."Hello Mr.Robert?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Robert cleared his throat, "Emma, I'm sorry. I haven't been able to read the letter you sent me. I've been busy lately, and since you told me not to bother you anymore, which is why I stopped."I nodded, even though he couldn't see me."Letter? What letter?" I asked, confusion etched in my voice.Robert's brow furrowed, "The letter you sent to me.""I sent you a letter? I didn't," I replied, my face filled with confusion.Robert's expression turned sheepish, "Oh, sorry. I must have made a mistake.""Okay," I said, my voice still barely above a whisper."You called," Robert pointed out, his tone gentle.I nodded, even though he couldn't see
—Ava had always been the lively one, the playful spirit among them. But now, she looked different—more mature, her beauty radiant even in the dim lighting. Emma hadn’t realised how much she missed her until that moment, until she felt the familiar comfort of Ava's embrace. She managed a small, shaky smile, one that told Ava everything she needed to know: how desperately she needed her right now.Ava pulled back, still grinning, but when she turned to Natalie, her smile faded a little. She acknowledged her with a nod, though Emma could sense the slight tension between them. Natalie and Ava had never been as close as Emma was to each of them individually, and tonight that gap seemed more evident than ever.“Well…You are welcome Ava” Natalie said Ava nodded without giving her a response but Natalie knew something was wrong.Natalie, however, didn’t seem to care. She was already back to her old ways, ready to stir trouble. She raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips as she asked,
—EMMA POVAva pulled me into her room, and it looked very old. Her parents had died and this home was all they gave to her.“Aren't you going to clean this home?” I asked my voice barely above a whisper as I glance around the whole house.She smirked “I will but not now, so tell me something” she said demanding the truth of everything.I walked towards the couch, and sat slowly, she offered me a glass of water and sat beside me, her gaze was locked on me like she was feeling some kind of sympathy for me.“What's with the look on your face?” I asked, smiling at her.“You are beautiful, now that you are pregnant” she said “Is that a compliment or what Ava" I askedShe nodded “Yeah, of course,it is a compliment and I mean it” she said I nodded.“How about we sit outside, I am not really comfortable, I hope you understand me” I said my voice barely above a whisper.She smirked “This baby is going to change you, how on earth do you prefer sitting outside in this cold night” she said I
EMMA POV—-I thought about it for a moment, letting the silence stretch between us. “Then she’ll leave me no choice but to leave her,its my life and my choice” I said finally, and I forced a smile, though it felt like my heart was breaking. “I can’t keep living my life trying to make everyone else happy. I have to think about me and this baby now.”Ava didn’t say anything, but she nodded, a slow, understanding nod that told me she had heard every word. She walked with me, side by side, until we reached my house. The street was dark, the only light coming from a single lamp post flickering a few yards away.“Guess your mom’s asleep, Now,” she said, glancing at the darkened windows.I nodded, feeling a wave of exhaustion hit me. “Yeah.”“You’re strong, Emma,” Ava said, and her voice was so quiet, I almost thought I imagined it. “Stronger than what you or nobody thinks. But you don’t have to be strong all the time. It’s okay to ask for help, to lean on someone. Just don’t give up, okay?
EMMA POVI sat outside Mom's hospital room, lost in the serene landscape beyond the window. The gentle rustle of leaves and chirping birds offered a fleeting escape from the weight of her illness. Suddenly, a familiar voice broke the tranquility."Emma."I turned to see Natalie standing behind me, her eyes tinged with a mix of guilt and hesitation."Hey, still here?" I replied softly, my curiosity piqued.Natalie's gaze darted around the hospital corridor before settling on me. "I'm heading home, but I wanted to just stop buy before leaving and apologise for...everything." Her voice trembled.I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's going on, Natalie? You're being really cryptic, you did nothing wrong."Natalie took a step closer, her eyes locking onto mine. "I know I shouldn't have said such a thing that day. I was stressed, and I took it out on you. I'm so sorry."My expression softened. "It's nothing, Natalie. Friends fight, and we settle." I offered a reassuring smile.Natalie's f
ROBERT POV Hours passed as I tried to piece together fragments of the night, but it was all a haze. Carolyn had locked herself in the guest room, refusing to speak to me, her sobs echoing faintly through the walls.The kids noticed, their wide-eyed gazes flicking between me and the closed door, sensing the tension. They didn’t ask questions, but the silence was damning, like a silent judgment hanging over me.That evening, I confronted Carolyn.She looked at me with a scornful smile, her lips curving slightly as she crossed her arms. “What do you want, Robert? I already told you everything that happened, do I Have the energy to force you on me? I don't, you did it yourself and you were satisfied,so what more do you want?”“I want answers, real answers, tell me the truth” I replied, my voice a mixture of frustration and desperation. “What happened last night?”“You don’t remember?” she asked, feigning innocence. “Or are you just pretending, so you can escape the blame?”“I don’t trust
EMMA POV“What's the problem?” Daniel asked, his gaze drifting between me and Ava I smirked back at him so he wouldnt know what we were talking about “We were just discussing something important” I said my voice firm.ROBERT POV“What a long day” I said as I dropped my car keys in front of the table, my hands in between my chest as I zipped off.The phone's screen glared back at me, messages lined up, missed calls pinging in one after another. But I couldn't bring myself to respond. I slouched back in the armchair, sinking into its worn leather. My fingers absentmindedly tapped the armrest, my mind drifting. Everything felt hollow.The door swung open without a knock. Carolyn stood in the doorway, her familiar smirk tugging at her lips as she walked in, balancing two glasses and a bottle of wine.“Welcome, Robert,” she purred, eyes glinting as they trailed over me.I sat up, frowning. “A little privacy would be nice, Carolyn. Knock next time,” I muttered, my voice low, weary. But Ca
EMMA POVRobert’s mind raced, his heart hammering beneath his ribs. She was here, just a few steps away from him. All he had to do was go to her. But his feet felt leaden, held back by the weight of years of unspoken words, regrets, and the tangled mess their lives had become.“Does she… know I’m here?” Robert finally asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.Doctor Caleb shook his head. “Not yet. But… perhaps it’s time? Time to introduce yourself ”“I don't think I should do that, Daniel hasn't introduced us yet” Robert said, his voice barely above a whisper.---Back in her room, Emma shifted restlessly, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. Memories of Robert drifted through her mind like ghosts. She could almost hear his voice, feel his presence. Her heart beat faster, a pang of bittersweet longing settling deep within her chest.But as soon as she closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing heart, a nurse entered, startling her back to reality.“Ms. Emma,” the nurse said with a soft,
EMMA POVThe name the doctor had called tugged at a memory, pulling me abruptly from the present. My hand hovered in midair, caught in the space between now and then, a blur of faces and voices swimming before me until Natalie's touch brought me back.“Hey,” she said, her fingers pinching my arm lightly but sharply. Her gaze was expectant, a bit concerned, and just a little exasperated. “Huh” I said “Snap out of everything and be your self, your mom is going to be alright” she said “Yeah…” I replied, blinking to clear my thoughts. “Yeah, send my regards to him, and tell him I appreciate what he did. Truly,I am grateful”.Natalie watched me, her expression softening a bit. “How about her treatment?” she asked, tone practical but probing. “Should they proceed? Do we keep her here? Or… should she be at home, resting with her medications? You have to select one so they can work on her treatment quickly”My gaze slid over to Daniel, who’d been standing quietly just behind her. He met my
DANIEL POVI ended the call and looked over at Emma, still curled under the blankets, her breathing slow and steady. She was in the early stages of pregnancy, and her body was already working hard, making her more tired than usual. But now was not the time to let her rest.I approached the bed and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Emma,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “Wake up, how are you feeling? I am sorry i disrupt your sleep.”She stirred, blinking sleepily at me. “What’s wrong? Why did you wake me up all of a sudden? Is there a problem?” she murmured, her words slurred with sleep.I hesitated, hating the thought of breaking this news to her, but there was no way around it. “Ava just called. Your mom... she’s in the hospital. It’s critical.”Emma’s eyes shot open, all traces of drowsiness vanishing. “What? My mom is in the hospital? How did that even happen?” she gasped, pushing herself up on the bed, her movements frantic. “How is that possible? Hospital all of a sudden? S
ROBERT AND NINAROBERTThe hospital's sterile corridors stretched out like a labyrinth of lost hopes, echoing the whispers of the wounded. Fluorescent lights above cast an unforgiving glare, illuminating the frailty of human existence. Every step resonated with the weight of uncertainty, each door hiding a story of joy or despair.In the wards, rows of beds held the fragile bodies of loved ones, their faces etched with pain, fear, and longing. Monitors beeped like anxious heartbeats, tracking the delicate balance between life and death. The scent of antiseptic and desperation hung heavy in the air.In this sacred space, families clung to fragile threads of hope, praying for miracles. Doctors and nurses moved with compassionate urgency, their faces masks of resolve, their eyes betraying the emotional toll.Every room concealed a unique struggle: a child's tears, a parent's anguish, a couple's tender touch. The hospital was a microcosm of humanity – fragile, resilient, and precious.As
Natalie and Emma hasn't spoken for days and Ava has been very busy and she was happy that their plan has been going well and successful, Emma had decided to stay with Daniel only for temporary.---Ava sighed deeply, her heels clicking softly on the pavement as she approached her front door. The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the neighborhood. She had just come from Emma’s house, running errands on her behalf again. It wasn’t like Emma to be so distant, but with everything going on, Ava figured it was only natural.But there, leaning casually against Ava’s front gate, was Natalie.Ava’s expression darkened instantly. “Why are you here?”Natalie’s lips curled into a sly, almost mocking smile. “Oh, don’t act so surprised. Seems like I’m the bad guy now, huh?”Ava didn’t even bother to respond. Instead, she rolled her eyes, her irritation barely concealed. “Emma isn’t around, if that’s what you came for.”“I just want to talk,” Natalie said, her tone
EMMA POVI shook my head, frustrated. "Of course it’s not real, Daniel. This is just, just… temporary, yeah temporary. We both know that.""If you think this is not real and you decide not to follow up with our plan,What do you think will happen if our cover is blown?" he snapped. His voice was low, but the edge was sharp. "This isn’t just about us. It’s about my position in the company, we can't afford to lose or act slow at the moment. You need to think of a proper way to handle it."I could feel my irritation rising. "How about you?" I shot back. "You’re in this just as much as I am. This was your idea, remember? You can't put everything on me and when you achieve everything you want, you let go of me just like that""My parents need to see me settled," he said, his voice cool. "Once they hand over my position, it doesn’t matter if we stay together or not. It’ll be on me, not you anymore." He stepped out of the car, and I followed, trailing a few steps behind.As we entered the li