Thalassa's plan to return that night was derailed by another storm. But deep down, she was grateful for the delay, because it meant she got to spend more time with Alex.Thankfully, Kris didn’t show up outside the gate like he had the day before, which would have forced her to let him in again.However, that didn’t stop him from sending her a series of texts from a different number, telling her how much he missed her, how he couldn’t stop thinking about their night together, and how he planned to make her the happiest woman on earth when she gave him another chance.‘When’, not ‘if’. Every time she read one of those messages, she felt a few bricks fall from the walls she’d built around her heart.The following morning, she flew back to Baltimore. After dropping off her luggage at the house, she headed to the office, texting Luisa to let her know she was back.A few minutes later, her office door swung open. Thalassa stood up, and they embraced.“I can’t believe I missed you this much
Thalassa had been ready to fight, but at the sound of the familiar voice, accompanied by the familiar scent of cologne she knew all too well, her defenses crumbled.“Thalassa, it’s me,” Kris whispered softly into her ear, his warm breath grazing her skin."Kris," she breathed, her heart suddenly racing at his closeness. Kris slowly released her, allowing her to turn and face him."What are you doing here?" She demanded, wondering why she had calmed down the moment she realized it was him. She was supposed to be angry at his invasion, but her voice lacked the anger she wanted to show.“I went to Zeke’s house this morning,” Kris began, “only to be told you’d already returned to Baltimore. I thought you would stay in New York longer.”Though the lights were off, the moonlight was enough for her to see the curiosity in his eyes. “Why did you go there in the first place?”Thalassa grimaced, raising a brow. “Did you come here to interrogate me?”Kris shook his head quickly, taking a deep br
For a moment, Kris didn’t move, too stunned to react. But then his face broke into a look of pure relief, his eyes filling with tears before he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, his heart thundering in his chest.“You don’t know what this means to me, Lassa,” his voice trembled. “You just don’t know. I promise, you’ll never regret this.”He hesitated for a moment, then leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. Thalassa’s breath caught in her throat, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she responded, kissing him back with a passion that surprised them both.The kiss wasn’t as furious as it had been in New York. This time, it was slow, sensual, but equally messy as they kissed through their tears.Her hand moved up his shirt, reaching for his first button, but Kris placed his hand on hers, stopping her. Maybe it was a little too late considering what had already happened between them in New York, but he wanted to do this the right way. To wait until she was ready to trust
The press release set the fashion world and the internet ablaze, spreading like wildfire. Opinions were divided; some sympathized with Linda Miller for being falsely accused, others still believed she was involved, and a few concluded that Thalassa Thompson must have deliberately planned the whole thing.In her office, Linda was sulking over her financial reports as usual when the door suddenly burst open, startling her.“Susan, what the hell? You gave me a scare!” Linda hissed as her daughter rushed in, phone in hand.“Mum, Thalassa just released a statement clearing your name!”Linda scoffed. “As if that stupid bitch would do that.”“No, Mum, it’s true. It’s posted on TT Fashion's website and all their social media. Everyone’s talking about it.” Susan insisted, holding out her phone.Linda snatched the phone, the disbelief on her face slowly turning into a smirk as she saw it was true.“She really cleared my name.”Susan nodded excitedly. “And your stocks are back up by 11%! We’re g
“Our sales have dropped by 3% since the press statement was released because a small group of people is speculating that you specifically planned the sabotage to blame Linda for it,” Luisa informed Thalassa as she paced in front of the desk.“Okay. What else?” Thalassa asked, her tone calm.Luisa paused, raising an incredulous brow. “What else? Thalassa, you don’t seem bothered at all.”Thalassa sighed. “Luisa, our stocks and sales rose by over 100% after the fashion awards. Why should I focus on a 3% drop?”Luisa shook her head in disbelief. “Okay, but what about this? Miller Fashion’s sales have risen by almost 12%. If this keeps up, they’re projected to return to where they were before the awards.”Thalassa remained unfazed. “Which is still a far cry from what they once were. And don’t worry, this recovery won’t last long.”Luisa sank into one of the visitor chairs. “I wish I had your confidence. Are you really sure this plan is going to work?”Thalassa pursed her lips, her eyes th
Luisa's heart raced. Love. He said he was in love with her. Her heart soared, but it didn't take long before fear clipped its wings.Tears burned her eyes as she shook her head. “You can’t just say things like that, Alden."“Why can’t I say it when it’s the truth?” Alden asked. “I know it sounds crazy, and we haven’t known each other for long, but I’ve fallen in love with you, Luisa.”“Just like you loved Vanessa?” The words escaped her mouth before she could hold them back.Alden stared at her, then sighed. “Everything was different with Vanessa. I thought I loved her, I don’t know. When she cheated on me and left with another man, I thought it would hurt, but it didn’t. That’s when I realized I probably didn’t love her like I thought.”That didn’t do much to ease Luisa’s anxiety as she asked, “You thought you were in love with her but later realized you weren’t. How do I know it’s not the same thing? That you’re not just confused?”Alden smiled patiently. As frustrated as he was, he
"You said you wanted to talk?" Thalassa asked as she stepped away from Kris, gesturing toward the couch. Kris nodded but held onto her hand, gently pulling her down beside him."I saw the press statement, and obviously everyone's talking about it," Kris began, his voice tinged with concern. "I just want to know why you did it. Why did you decide to clear my mother’s name?"Thalassa swallowed but maintained a neutral expression. "You asked me to do it once, didn’t you?"Kris nodded, regret filling his expression. "Yes, but I apologized in the card I sent you because I realized how unfair it was of me to ask you to do something like that. You shouldn’t have done it because of me.""I didn’t do it because of you, Kris," Thalassa replied, her voice steady.Kris’s brow furrowed in confusion. "You didn’t?""No, I did it for myself," she said firmly, watching his perplexed expression. She sighed and continued. "I’m tired, Kris. Tired of holding on to so much resentment and anger. I want to b
Before Kris knew what was happening, Zeke grabbed him by the collar of his suit and yanked him away from Thalassa, shoving him with such force that he would have crashed to the floor if the couch hadn’t cushioned his fall.“Zeke!” Thalassa gasped.“How dare you lay your filthy hands on her and kiss her?” Zeke raged, the veins on his forehead and neck bulging as though they were about to burst.“What the hell is your problem?” Kris hissed, pushing himself to his feet. He clenched his fists, wanting to punch the hell out of him, but a pleading look from Thalassa made him hold back.“No, what’s wrong with *you*?” Zeke shot back. “When will you understand that Thalassa doesn’t want anything to do with you? Now you’re forcing yourself on her?”He turned to Thalassa, gently cradling her face between his hands. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”The sight of Zeke’s hands on Thalassa made Kris’s blood boil. His jaw tightened as he fought the urge to tear Zeke away. Thalassa wasn’t his—not reall
“What’s wrong with my wife, doctor? Is she okay?” Kris questioned at the hospital after the doctor was done examining Thalassa. The doctor offered a reassuring smile. “Mr. Miller, please calm down. Your wife is perfectly fine.” Kris’s heart slowed just a little. “Then why did she faint?” Thalassa was sitting up on the hospital bed. Her brow furrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line. “Doctor, it’s probably menopause,” she said matter-of-factly. “I haven’t had my period in two months. I know it happens earlier for some women.” She wasn't exactly pleased that she was having her menopause at 40 years old, but she had been expecting it. The doctor shook his head gently, a knowing smile on his face. “Mrs. Miller, it’s not menopause, I assure you.” That didn't help to assuage Kris's worry. “Then…what is it?” The doctor looked between them, savoring the moment before delivering the news. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Miller. You’re three months pregnant.” For a long second, sile
THIRTEEN YEARS LATERIt was the thirteenth anniversary of Kris and Thalassa’s remarriage, and as had become their tradition, it was a time for celebration with loved ones.The familiar hum of laughter and clinking silverware filled the air, creating a cozy, joyful atmosphere.At the adults’ table, Thalassa sat with her chin resting on her hand, her smile gentle as her gaze lingered on the people who had become their family. Alden and Luisa were seated across from her.Their three children—Andrew, the 12-year-old charmer; Matthew, the mischievous 9-year-old; and Emma, their 5-year-old firecracker—were occupying their seats at the kids’ table.Beside Alden and Luisa were Zeke and Millie, who had flown in from New York with their boisterous 10-year-old triplets, Max, Mia, and Miles.Alex and Tessa were sitting at the adults' table. No longer children, they'd blossomed into young adults. Alex had grown into a tall, broad-shouldered, and cool-headed teenager, much like his father. While Te
The car pulled into a luxurious beachfront resort, its white walls gleaming against the backdrop of the turquoise ocean.Thalassa blinked, the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore stirring something deep in her memory.They were in Cabo San Lucas.The moment it clicked in her mind, her breath hitched. She glanced out at the golden sands stretching endlessly before her, the rugged cliffs towering in the distance, and the sparkling waters that seemed to stretch into infinity. This wasn’t just any place.It was the place she'd thought she and Kris would be going for their first honeymoon while getting married five years ago. But of course, right after their wedding, Kris had cancelled their honeymoon.Her chest tightened as a surge of emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She turned to Kris, her voice barely above a whisper. “You remembered.”Kris’s lips curved into a soft smile as he reached for her hand, brushing his thumb over her knuckles.“Of course I remembered,” he said
After his aunt disappeared from sight, Kris made his way back to Thalassa on the dance floor. She stood there, her eyes soft and grateful, watching him approach. Her expression said everything—how much his unwavering defense against Cynthia meant to her. When he reached her, she tilted her head and whispered, "Thank you."Kris cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb against her skin. “You don’t have to thank me, love,” he murmured.Straightening, Kris raised his voice to the room, announcing, “Alright, everyone! Let’s get back to celebrating!” The guests cheered, and almost immediately, the jovial atmosphere returned, laughter and clinking glasses echoing in the air.As the music played on, Kris slid his arms around Thalassa’s waist, pulling her close. Before she could react, he dipped his head, nuzzling her neck with deliberate passion. The soft tickle of his lips against her skin sent a shiver down her spine, and she let out a surprised laugh.“Kris,” she whispered, her laughter bub
Kris’s fingers trembled slightly as he slid the delicate band onto Thalassa's finger, his gaze locked onto hers.Her lips quivered, tears glistening in her eyes, and when she looked down at her hand adorned with his promise, she sniffled and quipped through her tears,“Now how am I supposed to top that vow?”A ripple of laughter echoed through the guests, softening the intensity of the moment. Kris chuckled along with them, his own eyes wet as he mouthed, I love you.Zeke stepped forward with the second ring, offering it to Thalassa with a small nod of encouragement. She took a deep breath, steadying her emotions as she began her vows.“Kris,” she started, her voice trembling but firm. “We’ve been through more than a lot of couples ever have since we fell in love. We've experienced more heartaches than a lot of couples have. We've cried more tears than a lot of couples have. But we’ve also survived more than most couples could ever dream of surviving. Despite everything, every obstacl
ONE MONTH LATER... The beach was transformed into a paradise, a breathtaking blend of romance and nature. Rows of white chairs with soft blue ribbons faced an altar made of driftwood, wrapped in delicate white fabric that fluttered in the breeze. Seashells and flowers adorned the aisle, their fragrance mingling with the salty ocean air. Lanterns filled with candles were set along the path, their flames flickering gently despite the sunlight. The waves whispered as they lapped the shore, a soothing background to the laughter and murmurs of the gathered guests. Among the guests sat a healthy Juana, her face radiant with happiness. Though she now had to walk with the help of a cane, her physiotherapist had assured her that she would soon be walking on her own two feet. Kris stood at the altar, his fingers clasped tightly in front of him. He adjusted his tie for the umpteenth time. “Dude, you're acting like you haven't done this before." Alden chuckled, standing to his left as his
Tessa pulled back from the hug first, her little hands clasped together as she looked up at Alex with wide, curious eyes. "Do you want to play with my dollhouse?" she asked, her voice light and full of hope. Alex tilted his head, thinking. "Okay," he said, then quickly added, "But we will play with my toy cars after. Okay?" "Okay!" Tessa agreed with a grin. "Let’s go!" The two children turned and, hand in hand, skipped off together, their laughter echoing. Kris and Thalassa watched them go, a shared warmth blooming between them as they stood side by side. Rising to his feet, Kris turned to Thalassa, noticing the shimmer of tears in her eyes. His brows knitted together in concern as he stepped closer. "What’s wrong?" he asked softly, brushing a stray tear from her cheek. Thalassa smiled, but it was tinged with a bittersweet emotion. "It’s just… Alex has always wanted a little sister. Ever since he was old enough to understand what that meant. I never thought I’d be able to give
Kris and Thalassa both knelt as Alex barreled into their arms, his small frame colliding with Thalassa first. His tiny arms wrapped tightly around her neck as he exclaimed, "Mummy! I missed you, Mummy!"Thalassa’s arms encircled him, her voice trembling as she whispered, "I missed you too, sweetheart. So much." Her fingers gently stroked his hair as their joy filled the room. Despite himself, Kris suddenly felt a slight wave of anxiety.He had only spent a few days in New York with Alex weeks ago. Sure, they spoke on video calls almost daily, but what if the boy didn’t greet him with the same joy? What if Alex still felt distant toward him?But as if sensing his hesitation, Alex, while still hugging Thalassa, stretched one small arm toward Kris.“Daddy, come!” he said, his voice warm and inviting.Kris felt his chest swell with emotion. A grin broke across his face as he leaned into the embrace, his arms encircling both Thalassa and Alex. Together, the three of them shared a family h
Kris was in Tessa's room, leaning against the doorframe, his gaze fixed on the small figure curled up in bed. Her breathing was soft and even, her chest rising and falling rhythmically under the fluffy pink comforter. Moments ago, she had clung to him, her small hands gripping his shirt as she begged him to promise over and over again that he was her daddy, her only daddy, and that he would never let the bad man take her away.Now, she slept peacefully, her expression serene, as though the weight of her fears had finally been lifted after his promises.The sound of soft footsteps behind him pulled Kris from his thoughts. He turned to see Thalassa standing in the doorway, a faint smile on her lips.“It’s done,” she said simply. stepping beside him. “That coward is in jail.”“Good." Kris gritted his teeth together, feeling a surge of relief. That scoundrel was finally where he belonged. But he was confused about one thing.“Why now?” he asked. “You had evidence against him all this tim