Thalassa’s body went rigid the moment Zeke’s lips touched hers, completely caught off guard. His lips moved softly over hers, as if pleading for a response.But she couldn’t. Her body refused to respond.Bracing her hands against his chest, she gently pushed him back. “Zeke, what are you doing?”Zeke looked at her, his face flushed, partly from embarrassment and partly from hope.“Something I’ve been wanting to do ever since I met you,” he whispered, feeling breathless from how hard his heart was pounding.He studied her, trying to gauge her emotions, but what he found wasn’t what he expected.“You don’t even look that surprised,” he said with a short, awkward chuckle. “Was I that bad at hiding my feelings for you?”“Zeke...” Thalassa began, fumbling for the right words.She hadn’t expected Zeke to kiss her, nor had she ever thought he saw her as anything more than a friend. Yet, strangely, she didn’t feel entirely shocked. It was as if her mind had pieced together his past reactions
Thalassa sat in her study, her eyes glued to the screen as she worked through the endless pile of emails. Though she hadn't gone to the office, she still had to work from home because there was a lot to do.She was trying to focus, but her thoughts kept wandering back to Zeke's unexpected confession. She sighed, shaking her head as she scrolled down. Just then, her phone buzzed on her desk. The screen lit up with a call from her security guard.“Ms. Thompson,” the guard’s voice crackled through the line. “You’ve received a package. It’s from Mr. Mathews, I believe.”“Zeke?” Thalassa muttered to herself, a small frown forming on her lips. He really hadn't been joking. “Alright, bring it in.”Getting out of the study, she went to the door and opened it to receive the package from the guard. Thalassa thanked him and took it inside. A sense of deja vu washed over her; It was a neatly wrapped basket filled with her favorite chocolates.There was a note attached. Thalassa peeled it off and
Kris sat in the darkness of his penthouse, the only light coming from the dim streetlights outside and the occasional flicker from the TV he hadn’t bothered to turn on. He held a half-empty bottle of whiskey in his hand, his fingers gripping the neck tightly like it was a neck he wanted to squeeze. Who's neck? He wasn't sure.The bottle clinked against the glass table as he set it down and leaned back, eyes heavy but wide open.The doorbell rang.He glared at the door, his jaw tightening. Whoever it was could turn right back around and leave. He wasn’t in the mood for visitors—especially not the fake-friendly neighbours who had come earlier, offering their “sympathies” when he knew they were only there to get some scoop to leak to the press. He’d kicked them out, and then he’d turned off his phone to stop the endless flood of calls coming from acquaintances and business partners.The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time. Kris’s irritation flared. Whoever it was clearly did
Thalassa paced back and forth in the living room. It had been over an hour since Luisa had gone upstairs after their argument, and Thalassa was really bothered.Usually, Luisa would call and ask her opinion about what dress to wear or how her make up looked, but she hadn't called her tonight.With a sigh, Thalassa climbed the stairs and knocked on Luisa’s bedroom door.“Luisa, do you need my help with anything?” she asked.“No, thanks,” came the curt reply.Thalassa pressed her lips together in frustration. Turning, she made her way back downstairs. Just as she reached the bottom, the doorbell rang.She walked over and opened it to find Alden standing there with an awkward smile. “Hey, Thalassa,” he greeted. “Is Luisa ready?”“I’ll go get her for you ”Before she could call for Luisa, her friend appeared at the top of the stairs and began descending, her eyes lighting up when she saw Alden. Alden’s gaze never left Luisa. “You look gorgeous,” he whispered.Luisa blushed slightly and
Kris groaned as he stirred awake, his head pounding with the force of his hangover. The sharp throbbing made him wince, and he blinked his eyes open to find himself sprawled on the floor of his living room. Slowly, he got up and stumbled upstairs, each step feeling like it echoed in his skull. Once he reached his bathroom, he opened the cabinet and grabbed a container of painkillers, popping two into his mouth and swallowing them dry. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, and the sight wasn’t pretty—dark circles under his eyes, messy hair, and his skin red. Worse was the foul taste in his mouth. His breath was atrocious.After brushing his teeth, he stripped out of his clothes and stepped into the shower. He stayed under the shower for a while, the cold water slowly helping clear some of the fog from his mind.By the time he finished, Kris felt a little better. He dried off and slipped into a pair of trousers and a simple shirt—nothing too formal. He had no intention of goin
Thalassa's hands trembled as she gripped her phone, her heart hammering in her chest after Betty's words echoed through the line: Kris knows. Panic shot through her veins like ice, but she tried to keep her voice steady as she spoke."What did you tell him?" "I didn't tell him anything," Betty replied, her voice tight with worry. "But please, Thalassa, don't ask me to lie to him again. I won't be able to do it. He's determined. I can see it in his eyes. Nothing's going to change his mind."Thalassa bit her lip hard. This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening. She had only sent Kris a voicemail, telling him that they needed to talk. There was no way he could've known what she was going to tell him. So how did he find out?"Thalassa?" Betty's voice broke through her thoughts. "What should I do?"Thalassa's pulse raced faster, her mind racing to figure out why Kris would have gone to New York first instead of confronting her. Was he trying to take Alex away from her?The thought
Kris’s body shook as he continued to puke. He hadn’t eaten a proper meal in two days, so what was coming out of his mouth was mostly bile.His throat stung, and his stomach felt like it was twisting itself into knots. After what felt like forever, the retching finally stopped. With trembling hands, he flushed the toilet and pushed himself up from the floor.Walking to the sink, he stared into the mirror. He rinsed his mouth and spat, trying to get rid of the vile taste that lingered. But no amount of water could wash away the bitterness he felt inside. That’s when he saw Thalassa through the mirror standing at the door.“Are you okay?”Kris froze, his heart twisting painfully at the sight of her. He wanted to pull her close and hug her and thank her for giving him such a beautiful son, but all he could feel was the rage bubbling up inside, clawing at his chest. He hadn't said anything to her outside the house because he’d been afraid he would say something he would regret, but now i
Kris’s accusation hung in the air for several seconds as they stared at each other. His eyes were hard, demanding an answer. “Is that what you think of me? That I would lie about…about our child dying?” Thalassa finally broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. Her throat tightened with emotion as she struggled to hold back her tears. Kris finally pulled away from her, frustration radiating from his every movement. He threw his hands up in the air, pacing angrily. “What the hell else am I supposed to think, Thalassa? You told me our child died in your womb after my mother’s attack. But he’s sitting in that living room, flesh and blood, looking at me like I’m some goddamn stranger. So, yeah! I don’t know what the fuck else to think!” Thalassa stood frozen, each word hitting her like a punch. Her chest felt heavy, like it was hard to breathe. After a long moment, she took a deep, shaky breath and spoke, her voice trembling. “I was pregnant with twins, Kris.” Kris s
“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