Life for Alex and Klarisse had settled into a harmonious routine, one that brought comfort and joy to both of them. Each morning, Alex would drive Klarisse to her café before heading off to the Robinson’s office. He’d work through the day, handling the weighty responsibilities of their business empire, but his mind often wandered back to the thought of picking her up later. By the time evening rolled around, Alex would fetch Klarisse, and they’d spend their evenings enjoying dinner together or sharing quiet, intimate moments in their shared home. Klarisse couldn’t have asked for anything more. For the first time in her life, she felt like she truly belonged—not just as a part of the Fowls family or as a caretaker of her late sister’s responsibilities, but as herself. She was Klarisse, Alex’s wife, and someone who was deeply cherished. However, the steady rhythm of their routine took an unexpected turn one afternoon. Klarisse had been feeling strangely off for a few days—tired, dizzy
Alex had always been a dependable partner, but now, as Klarisse carried their child, he had stepped into an even more protective and attentive role. He ensured that she never missed a doctor’s appointment, that she ate nutritious meals, and that she didn’t overwork herself, especially when she was at her cafe. Alex's actions were tender but firm, leaving Klarisse with little room to argue when he deemed something necessary for her well-being.Bronson and Angela, Alex’s parents, had taken this opportunity to heighten their protective measures. They insisted on assigning bodyguards to Klarisse, not just at the mansion but even when she was at her cafe. Klarisse, fiercely independent and used to handling things on her own, immediately protested against the idea."Bodyguards? At the cafe? That's ridiculous!" Klarisse exclaimed during breakfast, setting her fork down a little harder than intended. "It’s not like I’m going to be running into danger while serving coffee and pastries."Angela
Klarisse stood in front of the closed doors of her cafe, confused. It wasn’t like Allie to shut down operations without informing her. She tried calling Allie, but her phone kept going to voicemail. Klarisse furrowed her brows, shifting uncomfortably in her maternity dress as Alex stood beside her, looking far too casual for someone who had been dragged into this mystery. "Are you sure you don’t know what’s going on?" Klarisse asked Alex, her suspicion growing. Alex raised his hands in mock innocence. "I’m just as clueless as you are, love. But why don’t we go inside and figure it out together?" Skeptical, Klarisse reached for the door, pushing it open. The moment she stepped inside, a loud, unified cheer erupted. "Surprise!" The room was filled with friends, family, and even some of her regular customers, all beaming at her. Balloons in soft pastel colors floated around the cafe, and banners that read *“Welcome, Baby Robinson!”* were strung up across the walls. A table near the
The evening at the cafe had settled into a comfortable quiet, the aftermath of laughter and celebration still lingering in the air. Klarisse and Alex sat side by side in one of the cozy booths, their hands intertwined as they sipped on decaffeinated tea. The soft glow of the string lights gave the room a warm, intimate atmosphere. "So," Alex began, his fingers intertwined with Klarisse's on the table, "do you have any favorite names in mind yet? You’ve probably been secretly thinking about this for months, haven’t you?" Klarisse laughed softly. "I might have a list or two on my phone," she admitted, biting her lip. "But I want us to decide together. It should be something meaningful for both of us." Alex leaned back in his chair, a playful smile on his lips. "Alright then, let’s hear some of your ideas first. Ladies’ choice." "Okay," Klarisse said, sitting up straighter. "For a girl, I was thinking something elegant but not overly complicated, like *Elise* or *Clara*. Clara’s kind
The following day, Klarisse had decided to stay home to rest after the tiresome baby shower. Alex wanted to stay home as well, but Klarisse reminded him that he had to attend another meeting with the Marconi's deal. Alex agreed but reminded Klarisse to call him anytime, if she needed anything.As Klarisse sat by the window of their spacious bedroom, a soft breeze from the garden below swept through the curtains. The sunlight played against the walls, but Klarisse’s heart was weighed down by thoughts that refused to leave her alone. She gently rubbed her growing belly, trying to focus on the excitement of their little one’s arrival. But her mind kept drifting back to Maxine. She leaned back in the armchair, staring at her phone resting on the table nearby. She hadn’t tried calling Maxine again since her previous attempts were ignored. A part of her was thankful for the silence—it spared her from any confrontation—but another part of her wondered what Maxine was thinking, or if she was
Klarisse sat in the passenger seat of Alex’s car, staring out the window as the city passed by in a blur. Today felt different. There was an inexplicable restlessness inside her, a feeling she couldn’t quite place. Perhaps it was the pregnancy hormones, or maybe it was something deeper, something she wasn’t ready to face yet.Alex, ever the doting husband, shot her quick glances as he drove. He had been more protective than ever, which she appreciated, but today, she needed space. She needed to breathe.“Are you sure you want the café closed today?” Alex asked cautiously, his voice laced with concern. “You’ve never closed it before, not even when you were sick.”Klarisse exhaled, already expecting this reaction. “Yes, Alex. Just for today. I just… need a break.”He tightened his grip on the steering wheel but didn’t argue. “And the bodyguards?”She turned to him, her gaze pleading. “Can’t I have one day without them hovering around me?”Alex hesitated. His natural instinct was to keep
The sun had long dipped beyond the horizon when Alex finally pulled up near Klarisse’s café. The warm glow from the windows illuminated the otherwise quiet street, and he could see shadows moving inside—likely Klarisse and Allie finishing up for the night. He glanced at the bouquet of fresh lilies and roses in the passenger seat and exhaled softly. He hoped this would lift her mood, though he wasn’t entirely sure why she had insisted on staying longer at the café today. Alex had deliberately given her space, trusting Allie’s message that Klarisse just needed some time. Still, a gnawing concern had been lingering at the back of his mind all evening. Ever since she woke up that morning, she had been acting different—more withdrawn, more restless. It wasn’t the first time her pregnancy had affected her moods, but this felt like something else. Something deeper. Pushing the thought aside, Alex stepped out of the car, straightened his suit, and walked toward the café door. The small bell
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The seasons shifted, but one thing remained constant—Alexander’s unwavering devotion to Klarisse. Their once carefully measured and arranged marriage had transformed into something real, something deep, something neither of them had expected.Klarisse had always imagined love as something soft and gradual, something that crept up unnoticed until it was undeniably there. But with Alex, love was different. It was steady yet passionate, unexpected yet certain. Every day, he found new ways to show her how much she meant to him, whether through grand gestures or simple, quiet moments that spoke volumes. Klarisse often found herself waking up in the mornings to Alexander’s warm embrace. He had a habit of pulling her close even in his sleep, his protective nature manifesting even in unconscious moments. She would lay there for a while, tracing light patterns on his skin, marveling at how much things had changed. There was a time when she quest
The next morning, the Robinson estate was quiet, but tension crackled in the air like a brewing storm. Alex and Klarisse arrived at the family mansion, both knowing that this wasn’t going to be a simple breakfast gathering. They have dropped off the twins at the Fowl’s Estate to stay with their grandparents there, Alan and Kareen. The events of the previous night still lingered in their minds—Artemis’s sudden appearance, his cryptic words, and then his abrupt departure without an explanation. As they walked hand in hand through the grand hallway, Klarisse gave Alex’s fingers a reassuring squeeze. She could feel the barely contained frustration radiating from him. “I still don’t understand why he just left,” Alex muttered under his breath. “What was the point of showing up just to walk away?” Klarisse glanced at him. “Maybe he wanted to see if he was still welcome.” Alex scoffed, shaking his head. “If he wanted to be welcome, he should have stayed and explained himself. But Artemis
The grand birthday celebration of Lucas and Liana was winding down. The laughter of children had softened, and guests were beginning to exchange parting words and warm goodbyes. Some of the high-profile business associates of the Robinsons and Fowls had already made their exits, while close family and friends still lingered in the elegantly decorated garden, sipping the last of their champagne under the twinkling fairy lights. Klarisse sat with Alex on one of the cushioned benches near the stage, exhausted but happy. Her fingers laced through his as she leaned against him, watching as their children giggled in the arms of their doting grandparents. “Today was perfect,” she murmured. Alex kissed her temple. “Because you made it perfect.” Just as Klarisse was about to reply, a sudden shift in the atmosphere caught her attention. A low murmur spread among the remaining guests, like ripples on a calm lake after a stone had been tossed into it. Heads were turning toward the entrance of
The Robinson mansion had never been this festive. From the grand entrance adorned with pastel balloons to the sprawling garden filled with elegantly decorated tables, everything was set for the most anticipated event of the year—the first birthday of Lucas and Liana Robinson. It wasn’t just a simple family gathering; it was a statement. The Robinson and Fowl families, two of the most influential names in business, were showcasing the next generation—their heirs and the future of their legacy. But beyond the business implications, today was about celebrating the joy, laughter, and love that Lucas and Liana had brought into their parents’ lives. Klarisse had been hands-on with the planning, despite Alex and their parents insisting that she leave it to the event organizers. “I want this to be special,” she had told Alex one evening while reviewing the guest list. “Not just another corporate event or business showcase. It’s their first birthday. It has to be personal.” Alex had smiled
The arrival of Lucas and Liana Robinson had completely turned Alexander and Klarisse’s lives upside down—in the most beautiful and chaotic way possible. Their once-organized schedules had become a blur of sleepless nights, baby cries, and diaper changes. But through it all, there was an undeniable joy in every moment, even in the most exhausting ones. Gone were the days when Alex and Klarisse could enjoy peaceful mornings, having breakfast together in a slow, relaxed manner before heading to work. Now, their mornings started at unpredictable hours, dictated entirely by the twins. On most days, Klarisse would wake up to the sound of Lucas’s soft whimpers, followed shortly by Liana’s cries. And before she could even get out of bed, Alex was already by the crib, rocking one of them while trying to soothe the other with gentle words. “Shh, Daddy’s here,” he murmured, cradling Lucas against his chest while bouncing slightly on his feet. Klarisse, still groggy but smiling, would join hi
The day had finally come—the moment Alexander and Klarisse had been anticipating for months. The birth of their child, the next chapter of their love story. But little did they know, fate had yet another surprise in store for them. It started with mild discomfort in the early hours of the morning. Klarisse shifted in bed, rubbing her swollen belly as she tried to find a comfortable position. Alex, ever the light sleeper these days, immediately stirred at her movements. “Are you okay?” he murmured groggily, his arm instinctively wrapping around her. Klarisse took a deep breath. “I think… I think it’s starting.” That woke Alex up instantly. “Starting?” He sat up, his sleepy haze gone. “You mean—the baby?” She nodded, wincing as another contraction hit. “Yes.” For a moment, Alex simply stared at her, frozen in a mix of excitement and panic. And then, he was in full-on action mode. He grabbed the hospital bags, called their doctor, and made sure everything was in place before helpin
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The seasons shifted, but one thing remained constant—Alexander’s unwavering devotion to Klarisse. Their once carefully measured and arranged marriage had transformed into something real, something deep, something neither of them had expected.Klarisse had always imagined love as something soft and gradual, something that crept up unnoticed until it was undeniably there. But with Alex, love was different. It was steady yet passionate, unexpected yet certain. Every day, he found new ways to show her how much she meant to him, whether through grand gestures or simple, quiet moments that spoke volumes. Klarisse often found herself waking up in the mornings to Alexander’s warm embrace. He had a habit of pulling her close even in his sleep, his protective nature manifesting even in unconscious moments. She would lay there for a while, tracing light patterns on his skin, marveling at how much things had changed. There was a time when she quest
The sun had long dipped beyond the horizon when Alex finally pulled up near Klarisse’s café. The warm glow from the windows illuminated the otherwise quiet street, and he could see shadows moving inside—likely Klarisse and Allie finishing up for the night. He glanced at the bouquet of fresh lilies and roses in the passenger seat and exhaled softly. He hoped this would lift her mood, though he wasn’t entirely sure why she had insisted on staying longer at the café today. Alex had deliberately given her space, trusting Allie’s message that Klarisse just needed some time. Still, a gnawing concern had been lingering at the back of his mind all evening. Ever since she woke up that morning, she had been acting different—more withdrawn, more restless. It wasn’t the first time her pregnancy had affected her moods, but this felt like something else. Something deeper. Pushing the thought aside, Alex stepped out of the car, straightened his suit, and walked toward the café door. The small bell
Klarisse sat in the passenger seat of Alex’s car, staring out the window as the city passed by in a blur. Today felt different. There was an inexplicable restlessness inside her, a feeling she couldn’t quite place. Perhaps it was the pregnancy hormones, or maybe it was something deeper, something she wasn’t ready to face yet.Alex, ever the doting husband, shot her quick glances as he drove. He had been more protective than ever, which she appreciated, but today, she needed space. She needed to breathe.“Are you sure you want the café closed today?” Alex asked cautiously, his voice laced with concern. “You’ve never closed it before, not even when you were sick.”Klarisse exhaled, already expecting this reaction. “Yes, Alex. Just for today. I just… need a break.”He tightened his grip on the steering wheel but didn’t argue. “And the bodyguards?”She turned to him, her gaze pleading. “Can’t I have one day without them hovering around me?”Alex hesitated. His natural instinct was to keep
The following day, Klarisse had decided to stay home to rest after the tiresome baby shower. Alex wanted to stay home as well, but Klarisse reminded him that he had to attend another meeting with the Marconi's deal. Alex agreed but reminded Klarisse to call him anytime, if she needed anything.As Klarisse sat by the window of their spacious bedroom, a soft breeze from the garden below swept through the curtains. The sunlight played against the walls, but Klarisse’s heart was weighed down by thoughts that refused to leave her alone. She gently rubbed her growing belly, trying to focus on the excitement of their little one’s arrival. But her mind kept drifting back to Maxine. She leaned back in the armchair, staring at her phone resting on the table nearby. She hadn’t tried calling Maxine again since her previous attempts were ignored. A part of her was thankful for the silence—it spared her from any confrontation—but another part of her wondered what Maxine was thinking, or if she was