The golden light of the setting sun bathed the two in a serene glow, the rhythmic crashing of waves filling the silence. Klarisse’s thoughts swirled as she glanced at Alex, taking in the soft contours of his profile and the way the breeze tousled his hair. It was just a brief look, one that she thought would go unnoticed. It wasn’t intentional—at least, that’s what she told herself. But something about the way he sat there, his face illuminated by the soft glow of sunset, drew her attention like a magnet. His profile seemed softer in the fading light; the sharp edges of his jawline framed by the golden rays. His lips, slightly curved in a thoughtful smile, carried an unfamiliar warmth, as though he wasn’t weighed down by the burdens of their unusual marriage or the shadow of Maxine. Just one glance, she thought. But as fate would have it, Alex turned his head at that precise moment, his eyes locking onto hers. Klarisse froze, caught in the act. Her cheeks burned as if the sunset it
The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of salt and the faint whisper of waves as Alex and Klarisse made their way back to the car. The glow of the setting sun still lingered, casting a warm hue over their surroundings. Klarisse walked quietly, her mind a storm of thoughts about the kiss they’d shared. It had been... electric. Real. A moment that felt too significant to ignore but too fragile to dissect right now.Without a word, Alex reached out, his fingers brushing against hers before entwining them together. Klarisse glanced up at him, startled, but he was looking ahead, his expression calm, almost serene. For a moment, she wondered if it was a conscious gesture or an instinctive one, but either way, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she allowed herself to savor the warmth of his hand in hers, even as her heart waged a quiet battle between hope and caution.The silence between them was not awkward but rather contemplative. They were both lost in their thoughts, processing the k
Dinner had been pleasant, at least on the surface. Alan and Angela Robinson were full of questions about Alex and Klarisse’s day out together, their curiosity laced with subtle hints about the expectations looming over them. Each query about how they had spent their time felt like a polite but persistent reminder of the ultimate "goal" their families had set for them. Klarisse smiled and nodded through most of the conversation, while Alex deflected with practiced ease, skillfully steering the discussion away from any baby talk.By the time they excused themselves and headed upstairs, Klarisse felt both relieved and on edge. Their bedroom, though spacious and elegant, seemed to grow smaller as they entered. It wasn’t the room itself that felt stifling but the weight of everything unsaid.“You can use the bathroom first,” Klarisse said quickly, her voice softer than usual.Alex nodded, giving her a brief smile before disappearing into the adjoining bathroom. The sound of running water a
The cool air of the night brushed against Klarisse as she stepped out of bed, her bare feet making soft padding sounds against the polished floors. The emptiness on Alex's side of the bed had jolted her awake, and a sinking worry grew in her chest. Where had he gone? She wrapped her robe tightly around her and ventured out into the dimly lit hallways of the Robinson mansion.Her search led her to the family den, where the faint, warm glow of a single lamp cast long shadows on the walls. There, she found Alex, sitting in one of the large leather chairs, a bottle of whiskey in his hand, nearly emptied. His white shirt clung to his form, wrinkled from the hours he’d spent lounging there, and his boxer shorts revealed his relaxed, almost careless state. He looked up sluggishly as she entered, his eyes glassy and unfocused.“There you are, my lovely wife!” Alex slurred, a lopsided smile spreading across his face as he struggled to stand. His movements were slow, uncoordinated, and he stumb
Klarisse stirred weakly under the covers, her body aching with an unusual heaviness. The room felt colder than usual, and even though the morning sun peeked through the curtains, it did little to warm her. Her throat was sore, her head pounding, and she could barely muster the strength to sit up. She hadn’t planned to take the day off from her responsibilities, but it seemed her body had made the decision for her. She was lying there, debating whether she could push herself to get ready, when the bedroom door flew open, startling her. Allie entered in a flurry of worry; her brows furrowed as she approached the bed. "Klarisse!" Allie exclaimed, her voice tinged with both concern and irritation. "Why didn’t you tell me you were feeling this awful? I’ve been texting you all morning!" Before Klarisse could respond, another figure appeared in the doorway. Alex stepped inside, his expression a mix of guilt and discomfort, his hands shoved into the pockets of his slacks. He avoided meetin
One evening, after a particularly exhausting day, Klarisse found herself lying there, half awake, nestled in the crook of Alex’s arm. He was holding her close, his warmth wrapping around her like a blanket. His steady breath against her cheek was oddly soothing, and Klarisse felt her pulse quicken in a way she couldn’t quite explain. The connection between them was shifting, and the idea of denying it felt almost impossible now. Without fully understanding why, Klarisse lifted her head slightly and pressed her lips to his. It was a soft, fleeting kiss, but in that moment, it felt like everything. Alex froze, his body stiffening at the unexpected contact. But when he pulled away slightly to look at her, Klarisse could see the surprise in his eyes, followed by something else—a flicker of desire that she had never seen before. “Klarisse,” Alex murmured, his voice low and unsure. “Are you sure about this?” Klarisse didn’t answer with words. Instead, she let her actions speak. She leane
The gentle warmth of Alex’s touch stirred Klarisse from her slumber. His fingers brushed against her forehead, checking for any lingering fever. Her heart raced, but she kept her breathing steady, her eyes firmly shut as if still caught in the grips of sleep. She wasn’t ready to face him, not yet—not after last night.The silence in the room was deafening. Alex’s movements were careful, deliberate, as if afraid to disturb her. He smoothed the blanket over her and adjusted the pillow under her head with a tenderness that sent a wave of conflicting emotions crashing over her. Klarisse’s mind replayed every moment of the night before—the kisses, the emotions they had both struggled to suppress, and the undeniable connection that had sparked between them.But now, in the stark light of day, she didn’t know how to face it—or him.She heard Alex sigh quietly, his weight shifting on the edge of the bed. He wasn’t rushing her awake. Instead, he seemed content to sit there, his presence a reas
The golden hues of the afternoon sun filtered through the sheer curtains of the master bedroom. Klarisse sat up in bed, her strength returning after days of Alex’s diligent care. She watched him move about the room, folding a spare blanket he had draped over a chair earlier. His movements were calm and deliberate, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. Klarisse had made up her mind. If there was ever a time to be honest with Alex, it was now. He had been open with her about Maxine, laying his heart bare despite the awkwardness it might have caused. She owed him the same level of honesty. “Alex,” Klarisse began, her voice soft but steady. Alex looked up, his brows knitting slightly in concern. “What is it? Do you need something?” Klarisse shook her head, clasping her hands together to steady her nerves. “No, I’m fine. I just… I need to tell you something. It’s important.” He hesitated for a moment before nodding, crossing the room to sit on the edge of
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
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
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
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
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
The morning sunlight streamed through the grand windows of the Robinson estate’s dining room, casting a warm glow on the table set with an elegant breakfast spread. Alex and Klarisse sat side by side, their movements relaxed yet subtly attuned to each other. The previous night’s intimacy had left them both with a renewed sense of connection, and it showed in their every glance and gesture. Angela Robinson observed them from across the table, her sharp eyes flicking between her son and daughter-in-law. She had always been perceptive, and this morning, she couldn't ignore the shift in their dynamic. Alex, who usually kept his interactions with Klarisse polite but distant, now seemed attentive and engaged. Klarisse, on the other hand, appeared more at ease, her usual reserved demeanor replaced by a quiet confidence. As Alan Robinson buttered his toast, he too noticed the subtle change. “You two seem...different this morning,” he remarked with a small smile, his tone laced with curiosit
Alex’s words had barely left his lips before Klarisse leaned forward, her lips finding his in a kiss that spoke of all the pent-up emotions, doubts, and desires she had been holding back. It started softly, but within moments, the kiss deepened, igniting a fire between them that neither could ignore. Alex cupped her face with both hands, pulling her closer as if she might disappear if he didn’t hold on tight. Klarisse melted into his touch, her hands tangling in his hair, pulling him even closer. The world outside ceased to exist, leaving only the two of them, lost in the intensity of the moment. Their breaths mingled as Alex trailed kisses along her jawline, down to the curve of her neck. Klarisse gasped, her skin burning wherever his lips touched. Her hands slid down his chest, feeling the strength beneath his shirt, the heat of his body radiating against her fingertips. “Klarisse…” Alex murmured against her skin, his voice thick with desire. Her name on his lips sent shivers do
Klarisse’s hands gripped the steering wheel as she pulled into the driveway, the engine humming softly before she turned it off. Her mind was spinning. She had spent the entire drive home replaying her last conversation with Maxine, wondering if there was something she’d missed—some hidden clue about where Maxine’s heart truly lay. She leaned back in her seat, staring out at the Robinson mansion looming before her. Despite her efforts, Maxine hadn’t picked up her calls. Klarisse wasn’t even sure why she was trying to contact her, but there was a pull—a need to understand Maxine’s perspective, to make sense of everything before speaking with Alex. The last time Maxine came to the café felt like a lifetime ago, yet it haunted Klarisse. Maxine’s words had been clear: *She didn’t want to be Alex’s mistress.* Maxine had said she was walking away, yet Klarisse couldn’t shake the doubt. Was Maxine truly staying away from Alex? Or was this just temporary, and her presence would resurface so