Ondina For years Ondina longed to hear her mother to say those words to her and as time went on, she genuinely believed she never would. It was a bittersweet moment watching her mother’s shoulders jerk up and down from her sobbing. It felt relieving to know that she regretted it, but it still hurt to know that for all of these years she knew that Ondina was telling the truth, and she still chose to be quiet about it. Ondina felt conflicted about it all but right now all she wanted to do was comfort her mother. Getting up, she walked around the table and embraced her weeping mother. After a few seconds, her mother rose from her seat and wrapped her arms around Ondina, and they both sobbed. After a few more minutes, they released each other, looking at each other and smiled. Ondina looked towards her younger sister and decided to hug her too. They embraced each other in an awkward hug but Ondina knew that it wouldn’t be so awkward after they get used to each other. “Everyone g
Ondina "So, you're ready for tomorrow?" Anna asked as she polished Ondina's toenails. They've been hanging out every day over the past few weeks since reconnected. Their mom went back home to Maine, but she would be back just in time for the wedding. Knowing that Anna was just outside of New York for med school made it a lot easier to see each other every day. Raphael told Anna to let him know anytime she wanted to visit, and he would send a car to get her, and Anna did just that. It made Ondina a bit uncomfortable that Anna was so comfortable with taking advantage of him, but he insisted since it was her sister, and he wanted them to make up for lost time. "I definitely am now that you're here." Ondina stated as she looked down at her sister's work. Anna suggested wearing a natural tone on her nails. Ondina went along with it cause Camille agreed and she doesn't know much about trends or fashion herself. "I'm really happy we're getting along, Onny." Anna stated. "It's all
Ondina The venue was absolutely breathtaking. They came to do wedding rehearsals, and it was beautiful then, but now that they were preparing things for their big day, it looked like an entirely different place, and she knew that it was only halfway done. Ondina smiled politely as one of the employees grabbed her things and showed her to her room. She thanked them and rested on the bed. Nice. The bedroom decor kept the same concept as the house itself. Wood covered every wall and there was animal decor around. Ondina wasn't really a fan of the rustic look. But whoever the interior designer was for this place did their thang. Checking her phone, it showed 6:45pm. She hadn’t seen Raphael all day or spoken to him. It was Tradition in his family to stay away from each other the day before and she couldn’t stand it. They didn’t get much alone time either the past few weeks between her reconnecting with her family and him finishing up his work so that they could have a work free honey
Ondina“YES!” Ondina screamed. Her moans becoming labored breathing with light squeaks. Her eyes rolled back as her walls began to tighten and relax around him frantically.“Oh, god!” Ondina shouted as a strong orgasm violently broke through her. Unable to control herself, her body began to buck under him, and he held onto her hips, keeping her in place as he continued to ram into her. Another orgasm raked through her, turning her moans into screams. “Shhit!” Raphael pushed as deep as he could inside of her and released his seed. His dick pulsating as he continued to cum. A knock at the door caused them both to jump up and try to correct themselves quickly as if they were two teenagers who was about to get caught by a parent. “That’s Camille!” Ondina whispered.“You need to hide!” Rapha was about to protest when Camille began to speak from the other side of the door.“Onny, open up!” Ondina looked around the room frantically trying to find a hiding place.“Coming!” She yelled.“I
RaphaelMy head was pounding as I woke up. I may have over did it while drinking last night. Thomas and the guys threw me a bachelor's party and a nearby golf club. I'm not a fan of the sport but when you add shots to the mix, it can get pretty fun. They wanted to go to a strip club, but I refused that. If I wanted to see the beauty of a woman, I could go to my wife. A smile spread across my face at the thought. Ondina will soon be my wife. I felt like the luckiest man on the planet. I would be marrying the woman of my dreams. I could imagine our lives together. We would travel the world together and build new memories. We could start a family. An image of Ondina’s belly rounding as life grew inside of her made my heart swell. She would be the perfect mother. I could imagine our children and how they would look. They would have her curls and my features. The possibilities were endless. We could have girls or boys or both. It didn't matter to me.I got up and got ready before I made
OndinaHer nerves were beginning to settle in. All of the confidence she had last night was slipping away quickly. Now that the day had come, Ondina could feel her fight or flight sensors bouncing around in her head. It was as if all of her insecurities enhanced somehow. She knew realistically that they were only fears and not fact, but she was still unable to calm herself down. "Onny, you gotta calm down." Camille stated as she looked into her eyes."Just breathe!" She encouraged. Ondina tried her best to listen to her words, but it was hard to apply them. The makeup artist and hairstylist were both staring at her with concern. She knew what they were thinking. She's gonna run, I bet that's it. And if she was being honest with herself, she felt like she just might. She could feel a panic attack coming along and that was the last thing anyone needed today. It was supposed to be a great day. She just wished her emotions could get on board. Just as Ondina was about to get up and tr
Ondina"Thank you, Mrs. Lahsen, it's beautiful." Her smile held sorrow."Call me mom. Besides, you're gonna be the new Mrs. Lahsen." Her comment made Ondina’s stomach do flips.She stared at herself in the mirror one more time before Alexi poked her head in the door."It's show time." Ondina looked around at her family, her eyes full of excitement and fear. Everyone in the room quickly left the room and headed to the ceremony. Her mother grabbed hold of her hand and guided her through the doors and down the hallway.As they stood in front of a set of double doors that lead to the back, she could feel her anxiety kicking in again. She tried to calm herself and the more she tried, the clammier her hands became."Mi Ondas, breathe." Ondina released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding."I'm with you every step of the way." Her mother squeezed her hand reassuringly.The music began to play, and the double doors opened. "Just one foot in front of the other." Her mother reminded h
Raphael "I..." Ondina started. It was as if my soul was about to jump out of my body. I didn't think she would reject me until this moment and the thought of that happening was eating away at my heart."Do!" She wore the biggest smile. The cows yelled in excitement as she giggled. Relief coursed through my entire being. "Jesus, woman!" I started, putting my hand to my chest. Her smile was infectious, we both giggled together. Once the excitement died down, the officiant continued. It was time to exchange rings. Thomas stepped forward and handed mine to me and Camille did the same with hers. Both of our hands were shaking but we were able to get them clumsily on. Everything about this day felt surreal and I knew this day would forever embedded in my soul."You have united in family and in friends. I ask them now to promise that they will support your marriage with joy, love and optimism.” He stated addressing the guest.“All those who wish to promise their support say ‘I do!’”"I d
Five years later...I woke up to the ringing of an alarm clock. Like always, it was Ondina's. She had a million of them set for every ten minutes. What for? I had no idea, but today, it wasn't just an annoyance. It was a painful reminder of the chaos that was about to erupt. Fire year old twins were a force of nature. The ringing of the alarm grew louder. I groaned, reaching for the snooze button, but a gentle hand stopped me. "Don't even think about it," Ondina murmured, her voice laced with a sleepy smile. "The monsters will be here any minute."I still couldn't believe I was married to a woman so beautiful. Her dark hair was a tangled mess against the silk pillow and her eyes were still heavy with sleep, but the warmth radiating from her was undeniable. She was, indeed, my everything, and now, carrying our third child, she possessed a radiant glow that made my heart ache with a love so strong it sometimes felt like a physical weight."Monsters?" I teased, pulling her closer. "I
RaphaelI was just finishing up paperwork she my office door opened and in walked Celeste. She swung her hips a little too hard and she smelled of expensive perfume."Raphy, darling," she purred, the word sounding like a hiss on her tongue. "So good of you to see me.""Celeste," I replied.I was already annoyed and just wanted together this over with. "I wasn't aware I had a choice. Your unannounced visit last night hardly left me one."She ignored the chairs and sat her ass on the edge of my desk. Her crimson lips curved into a practiced pout. "Oh, don't be like that, Raphy. I just wanted to see you. To catch up."My jaw tightened. "Catch up? By crashing into my home, heavily intoxicated, and physically assaulting my wife?"Her perfectly practiced pout faltered and was replaced by a flicker of annoyance. "Ondina was being dramatic. It was merely a little… disagreement with her.""A disagreement that involved you grabbing her hair and screaming about how she stole your life?" "He
RaphaelThis could not be happening. Not tonight. Not when Ondina was finally happy. She lunged herself forward, trying to wrap her arms around my waist but I stiff armed her in the forehead."Celeste," I whispered."How did you find our- that doesn't matter." Trying to keep my voice calm I stated."You need to leave.""Leave?" she shrieked, Loud enough for the entire house to hear her. "Leave? After everything? After you promised me forever? You were supposed to be mine, Raphy!"Ondina appeared behind me, her face a mask of confusion and then, registration."How the fuck did you get here?" Ondina positioned herself between me and Celeste."Ondina!" Celeste shrieked again, pointing a wobbly finger in her face. "You! How does it feel living MY life?! I was supposed to be Mrs. Lahsen! I was supposed to live in this house! I was supposed to-" before she could continue, Ondina pushed her in the chest."Back up or I'll call the police!" Before Celeste could launch into another tirade, An
Raphael"Are you sure we can pull this off, Raf?" she asked, her voice tight as she surveyed the mountain of unopened boxes in the living room."The movers have it all covered, my love. Don't stress. " I kissed her forehead."It's just, with it being the twins' birthday, and the family dinner... it's all happening so fast." I could understand why she would be overwhelmed.not only was the twins birthday, it was also moving day. I wrapped my arms around her, burying my face in her beautiful curls. "Hey, breathe. We've got this, little flower. I'm here, aren't I? And besides, you're forgetting the cater we hired." She chuckled, some of the tension left her shoulders. "you're right. I'm over reacting. I need to calm down.""Exactly! Now, tell me, what's priority number one?""Getting Cam and Camie's play area set up. If they're happy, we're all happy." We exchanged smiles.She was right. Those two could bring the the sky down on us if they weren't happy, but they were the best kind of
MasonBreathing was becoming a task for me. Every breath hitched a ragged protest against the pain that I was feeling every day, but today... today was different. The air hung heavier. It was like I could feel my time running out. I knew. Today was the end, and Ondina words clung to my heart. "You're gonna die here, and no one will miss you." A sigh escaped my lips. I could tase the blood in my lungs. My vision was patchy and it burned to keep my eyes open. They had gotten used to the dark after months of being in it, but now, they were struggling against the glow of that one single bulb I hadn't know was there. Ondina forgot to turn it off and this was a new kind of torture.I was left here, visibly able to see just how far gone I was. In the dark, I couldn't see much detail of myself, but now, I could see everything. I was far from the man I used to be, and I had no one to blame but myself. Regret was a useless emotion now. A luxury I could no longer afford, but it was there and
OndinaHis face was gaunt, his eyes sunken and hollow. His hair was longer and his facial hair was unkept, like he hadn't shaves in months. His clothes were worn and filthy, clinging to his sickly frame. He looked like he hadn't eaten in months. He was looking up at her, his eyes wide with a flicker of... 'was it hope?'Ondina took a step back when the memories crashed down on her like a tidal wave of horror and pain.She could remember the fear, the sting of the restraints cutting into her skin, and the relentless torment. She could remember his cruel laughters as he had enjoyed her suffering and how he mocked her as she cried. The memory that paralyzed her the most was his haunting groans of Camilles name as he repeated it over and over again while he used her body for his own gratification. She remembered the agonizing pain of premature labor and the fear for her unborn children as the darkness swallowed her whole. She remembered every single detail.He had taken everything from he
OndinaThree days earlierAfter a sleepless night, Ondina watched as Anna cooed over the twins. "You're a lifesaver," Ondina said, forcing a smile. "I'll be back as soon as I can.""Take your time," Anna said, already distracted with a game of peek-a-boo. "They're in good hands."Ondina kissed each of her twins on the top of their heads she said her goodbyes. "Be good for Anna," she murmured, her voice thick with a mother's anxiousness."They'll be perfect angels, Onny, now shoo." Anna fanned Ondina towards the door.Ondina slipped out the door, her heart pounding in her chest. She drove carefully. Once she was on the highway, she pressed down on the accelerator. She was feeling every bit of anxious, but she needed answers. The drive was agonizing. Doubts gnawed at her. What if she was wrong? What if she was overreacting? But then she was flooded with the memory of the look on Raphael's face every time he told her he had a business trip, and her resolve hardened.Finally, she rea
RaphaelAs I stepped onto the balcony, the crisp morning air caressed my face. Sunrise bled across the horizon, painting the building tops in hues of rose and gold. It was a beautiful day. A perfect day, almost.Inside, Ondina was stirring, the soft laughter of our twins, was already filling the air, letting us know they were awake. The thought of them tugged a smile onto my face. Two perfect, healthy babies. I was truly blessed. After everything, we were finally moving forward in a positive direction.I leaned against the metal railing, the cold was slowly creeping into my hoodie, but I barely noticed. My gaze began to drift towards the light traffic beneath me as my thought began to consume me. It's bee six months. Six months that we've had him. Six months of torture, and I still didn't feel the satisfaction I though I would.Thomas stepped beside me, his face looked strained. "Coffee's on," he muttered he lit a cigarette with a shaky hand."When did you get her?" I asked, pushing
OndinaOndina stirred her tea as she stared aimlessly. Raphael's conversation with Thomas kept playing on repeat in Ondina's head. 'What is he hiding from me?' She felt desperate to know who was in that cabin, and why Raphael was so desperate to keep it secret that he would lie to her.Ondina knew Raphael wasn't always forthcoming, but this felt different. It felt deliberate, and it made her feel uncomfortable. Her gaze drifted to the two sleeping infants in their bassinets. Cameron looked so much like his father, and Camille was a miniature version of herself. They were the reason she needed to know. Their fragile, innocent lives deserved a foundation built on truth, not secrets.Taking a deep breath, Ondina reached for her phone. She scrolled through her contacts until she found Raphael's mother's number. She played out in her head what she wanted to ask, but had no idea how she should go about it. After a few minutes, she took a deep breath and dialed. after a few rings, his mother