I watched as the older couple approached our table, their eyes lighting up with recognition as they spotted us. The man, Mr. Kevin, was tall and distinguished-looking, with salt-and-pepper hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His wife, to my surprise, was dressed casually in dark blue jeans and a simple white t-shirt, her face warm and friendly, she loooked to be in her late thirties, I had an idea I was way off. There was an obvious age-gap between she and her husband. Unlike the other people in Roman's life I've met, she was a breath of fresh air. As they reached us, I stood up, offering them a welcoming smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Kevin, it's wonderful to meet you both," I said, extending my hand. Mr. Kevin took my hand, his grip firm and a slow stiff smile stretched his lips. "Mrs. Wellington, it's an honor to finally meet you," he said, his voice deep and polite. "Please, allow me to introduce my wife, Sarah," He gestured to his wife. Her beautiful brown eyes met mine and her smil
She was fucking everywhere, almost like anytime a semblance of something seemed to bloom between Roman and I, she would always be there to interrupt it, to make him go so stiff beside me that I would suspect he's having a stroke. His arms immediately left my body, like a child caught holding on to a stolen toy and unlike the many times when he'd done it to me, this time it stung, bad. I didn't move away, I didn't give them the space to speak as I usually would, instead I stood there with a married gaze, waiting as Bertha approached us. She stopped when she was only a few steps away, her prefect hair fell down to her shoulders in silky waves, her pink lips were pursed into what seemed to be either a smile or a sneer. Still, I stood. “Hi,” She said, giving an awkward wave. One which Roman didn't return. “Bertha,” He called out instead, his voice thick with emotion and quite frankly, it hurt to stand there, I wasn't sure why. It was definitely that part of me that
JESSICAI watched the clocks in my bedroom tick by, their synchronized sounds like music to my ears, it brought back memories both the ones I wished to relive and forget. “I'm bored,” I said to no one in particular, staring up at the ceiling like a lost fool in search direction. Maybe I was, maybe that was why I was so eager to go on this vacation with Amelia. So I could finally have a breather from the weight of everything and everyone. I've been a doctor before I even had the chance to decide what I wanted for myself and now, after close to fifteen long years of studying to become one…I have a whole month off. A whole fucking month! And who better to spend it with, than my only true friend Amelia. Sometimes I wondered if she needed the break more than I did. The woman never did seem to catch a break. This would be good for us, that I was certain of. I turned to look at my already packed bags and a smile stretched my lips, child-like excitement blooming in my chest.
The incessant beeping of my alarm clock jolted me awake at an ungodly hour. I groaned, fumbling to silence the irritating noise. As consciousness slowly seeped in, I remembered why I'd set it so early. California. The trip. Roman. Ugh. My phone lit up with a new message from Amelia. "Hey Jess, slight change of plans. Roman might be delayed. I'll meet you at the hotel. Sorry!" I stared at the screen, irritation bubbling up inside me. Of course he'd be delayed. Why did I expect anything different from that man? "No worries," I typed back, though my clenched jaw said otherwise. "See you there." Grumbling to myself, I dragged my suitcase to the waiting Uber. The streets were eerily quiet as we drove to the airport, the city still slumbering. Part of me wished I was back in bed too, but a bigger part was excited for this getaway – even if it now included an unwanted addition. The airport was bustling with early morning activity. I checked in, went through security, and found
AMELIA“Is that really all you're carrying?” I looked down at the simple backpack Roman had packed for a two week stay, it was barely enough to contain anything. He nodded, zipping it close, his arm's muscles flexing from the small action. He wore a T-shirt that hugged his chest and his abs like s second skin, then he wore jeans…fucking jeans. When was the last time I saw the man in anything other than a suit and tie? He looked good in everything. Dressing casual made him look rather boyish, that serious air that constantly surrounded him seemed to ease slowly, even more when Colson had come over to take the last of the files. He was left in charge for the next two weeks. Riman surprised me by making such a decision, I was even more surprised by the fact that Jessica agreed for him to come with. “Well then, put it up there, or do you need help?” I raised a brow in question. We were already seated in the plane, Roman booked business class for some reason and now we were
As we stepped into the hotel lobby, the cool air-conditioning was a welcome respite from the California heat. I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. This was my first time out of the country, and I was determined to make the most of it. Most importantly, it was a break from everything, including the ones I couldn't remember. "I should call Jessica," I said to Roman, pulling out my phone. "Let her know we've arrived." Roman nodded, his expression unreadable. "I'll wait here with the luggage," I dialed Jessica's number, and she picked up on the second ring. "Amelia! Are you here?" "Just arrived," I confirmed. "We're in the lobby," "I'll be right down!" Came her squeal of excitement. True to her word, Jessica appeared moments later, practically bouncing with excitement. She rushed over to me, enveloping me in a tight hug. She was beautiful, and it took me some time to really get used to it. Her long brown hair was tied up into a loose bun, she wore an oversized s
“Is that really all there is to it?” “Yes,” Jessica nodded, though I could tell she wasn't entirely convinced. "Well, let's focus on us for now. We've got a whole vacation to enjoy!" As Jessica launched into her plans for our trip, I tried to push thoughts of Roman out of my mind. But part of me couldn't help wondering what he was doing now, alone in his room. Would he spend the entire vacation holed up there, or would he finally let himself relax and enjoy this beautiful place? I shook my head, forcing myself to focus on Jessica's excited chatter. This was my vacation too, after all. And I was determined to make the most of it, with or without Roman's participation. "So," I said, cutting into Jessica's monologue about the best local restaurants, "Tell me more about this shopping you mentioned. I think I need some new beach clothes," Jessica's eyes lit up, and she launched into a detailed description of all the boutiques we simply had to visit. She even had a list. As
Shopping for beachwear was hectic, Jessica didn't let me choose a one piece…contrary to what she picked for herself. She claimed this was my chance to get a new husband since I'd be on the market soon. Which I found utterly ridiculous, I don't want to be with any man…I never did. I'm not even sure how I ended up with Roman in the first place, not sure why I was drawn to him. Still, I liked some that she picked so I let her take the reins, instead I followed behind asking questions about my life just to put the pieces together. Apparently I had met Roman in Russia, not that I remember going there and when I returned I'd announced that I was in love. Only for him to return to the country a few weeks later with Bertha on his arm. But of course, his grandfather chose me as the wife…because of my mother, his goddaughter. So Roman had to leave Bertha and marry me against his will. That is enough reason to hate me, I was certain. Speaking of which, Roman was a no show
The argument replayed in my mind like a broken record, each harsh word cutting deeper with each repetition.‘All you see is your own pain.’The accusation stung particularly sharp because it was untrue. I'd spent weeks trying to understand Roman's pain, making excuses for his absence, convincing myself that his distance was just his way of coping. And now he had the audacity to throw that in my face?That son of a–My phone felt heavy in my pocket. I could call Jessica, or Alexander—they'd be here in minutes. But what would I say? That my husband, the man who'd been my rock through everything, had just revealed a side of himself I'd never seen before? That he was keeping secrets about who had poisoned me?Instead, I did something I hadn't dared since being discharged; I walked upstairs to the nursery door.My hand trembled as it touched the doorknob. We'd painted it white just two weeks ago, discussing whether we should add some kind of decorative element. Roman had wanted to paint l
AMELIAHome was supposed to feel like a sanctuary. Instead, the walls seemed to close in around me, each room holding memories that felt more like wounds. The nursery door remained firmly shut—neither of us had the courage to face what lay behind it.I for one knew that I would break down into tiny pieces if I saw what was behind that door. I had already given instructions for the room to be emptied, without my knowledge, of course. I didn't want to see them. The crib. The stuffed animals, the onesies. Fiona had left or rather…fired. I had a feeling she had something to do with the poisoning seeing as Roman was being kind of secretive about why she left or why he fired her. He never really gave me a straight answer, not even when he hired an older woman to fill in as both housekeeper and maid for the meantime. Roman had been adamant about me staying home. "You need to rest," he'd say, his tone leaving no room for argument. But rest felt impossible when my mind wouldn't stop spinnin
The night air was cool against my skin as I stepped out of the hospital, fishing my phone out of my purse to order another Uber. The parking lot was mostly empty, illuminated by scattered streetlights that created pools of yellow light in the darkness. The sound of rapid footsteps behind me made my heart jump, but before I could turn around, I heard his voice."Greece!"Just one word. My name. But the way Colson said it made something inside me twist. I turned to find him slightly out of breath, as if he'd run to catch up with me. The sight of him – powerful, composed Colson – actually running after someone was so unexpected that for a moment, I could only stare."What are you doing here?" I asked, hating how my voice betrayed my awareness of him. Even in the dim light, he was devastating – the shadows playing across his features only emphasized the sharp angles of his face, the intensity of his gaze."It's too dark for you to be out alone," he said, his tone still carrying that profe
GREECE“Why…” I inhaled deeply, “...are you here?” I asked softly. I didn't know he was back from Mexico. But then again, we haven't kept any contact since I left. He couldn't be here for me, right? "Wellington Corp has a meeting with the university board today," Colson said, his voice carrying that familiar professional tone that I'd almost forgotten existed. "With Roman at the hospital with Amelia, I'm handling the meeting with the dean."The words hit me like a splash of cold water, washing away whatever foolish notions I'd been entertaining. Of course. He wasn't here for me. He was here for business, just like always. The realization stung more than it should have, but I refused to let it show on my face."It's nice to see you again," I managed to say, proud of how steady my voice sounded despite the chaos in my chest. But even as I spoke, my traitorous eyes kept drifting to his lips, remembering how they'd felt against mine that night in Mexico. The warmth, the intensity, the
GREECEThe lecture hall felt suffocating despite its size. Professor Williams droned on about corporate law, but my mind was elsewhere, wandering back to memories of Mexico City – memories I couldn't seem to shake no matter how hard I tried. It had been a month since I'd returned, since Colson had practically forced me onto that plane, and yet everything still felt fresh. Raw.The scent of his cologne. The intensity of his gaze. The way his hands felt when they caught me from falling. The almost-kiss on the balcony that still haunted my dreams."Miss Stavros?" Professor Williams's voice cut through my reverie. "Care to share your thoughts on the Jensen case?"I straightened in my seat, forcing myself to focus on the present. "The Jensen case highlighted the importance of fiduciary duty in corporate governance," I began, drawing on whatever information I could remember from last night's reading. "The board's decision to..."As I continued my response, I couldn't help but notice how dif
The days that followed blurred together like watercolors in the rain. I felt disconnected from my body, as if I were floating somewhere above myself, tethered only by the thinnest of threads to the physical world below. The hospital room became my entire universe—a bubble where time moved differently, where every breath felt like an effort against the crushing weight of loss.I used to think I was a strong person, I used to think if I could have survived this far, after everything…then I could handle anything. But this? This pain? It was something I wouldn't wish even my worst enemy. Jessica was my constant companion, her presence both comforting and guilt-inducing. She'd pull up a chair beside my bed, her white coat wrinkled from long hours, dark circles under her eyes betraying her exhaustion."You need to get back to work," I told her one afternoon, my voice still carrying that hollow quality I couldn't seem to shake. "Your patients need you more than I do."She looked up from h
AMELIADarkness. Unrelenting. Suffocating.The memory crashed over me like a violent wave, fragmentary and disjointed. Marcus. The name itself was a razor blade against my consciousness, cutting through the soft, sedated edges of my hospital room's tranquility.I could see him—not his face, never his complete face—but his presence. Overwhelming. Menacing. A shadow that had stalked me longer than I could comprehend. His voice was a low, calculated whisper that seemed to echo through the chambers of my most terrifying memories. "Finally," he had said. "Finally, I have you."I remember being so afraid that I couldn't speak, every time he walked into a room, every time he told me about his love for me…how many times he's watched me, how many times he's just been in the shadows…looking, seeing everything and anything that has happened to me, even times I had forgotten. Flashes of my previous attempts to escape flickered like a damaged film reel. The sharp object I'd used against him—som
AMELIAThe silence was almost like a living, breathing entity. It wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket, pressing against my chest, making each breath feel like a monumental effort. My body felt alien—a vessel that had somehow failed its most fundamental purpose. The white hospital walls seemed to close in, choking me yet at the same time those white walls managed to keep me calm despite the screams and wails I could hear in my head.Or perhaps it was just me, still recovering from the shock. Roman's voice broke through my fog, soft and tentative. "Do you need anything, Amy? Water? Another blanket?" His words were gentle, carefully constructed, as if speaking too loudly might shatter whatever fragile composure I was desperately trying to maintain.I turned my head slowly, mechanically, meeting his gaze. His eyes were rimmed with exhaustion and though I never saw it was obvious that he had cried. A concept that I'd never really associated with Roman up until that very moment.
T.W(Miscarriage) I had fallen back asleep. My body was probably unable to handle the exhaustion that came with my fear. Roman hadn't said a word to me which only served to make me feel worse. He just told me to wait till the doctor got there. My nerves were all over the fucking place and all that remained was fear. The world came into focus slowly, like a camera lens adjusting. White walls, the sterile smell of disinfectant, the soft beeping of medical equipment - everything screamed hospital. My body felt heavy, disconnected, as if I were floating just slightly above myself.Roman hadn't moved from my side. His hand was still clasped around mine, his thumb making small, repetitive circles on my skin - a gesture of comfort, of connection. I could see the strain in his face, the lines of worry etched deeply around his eyes and mouth. He looked so exhausted that my heart ached. But not just for his state, but because of mine. I could hear the blood rushing to my ears as my heart beg