Victoria sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall, the silence of the room wrapping around her like a heavy fog. Her heart felt like a shattered mirror, each piece reflecting moments of happiness now tainted with doubt and betrayal. She tried to focus on something—anything—but the thoughts kept spiraling back to Daniel.The door creaked open, and Sophie peeked in, concern etched on her face. “Hey, Vic. You okay?”Victoria forced a smile, but it felt brittle, like it might crack under the weight of the truth. “Yeah, just… tired.”Sophie stepped inside, her presence a comforting balm amidst the chaos in Victoria’s mind. “You don’t look okay. Want to talk about it?”“Not really,” Victoria replied, shaking her head. “I just… I don’t know what to think anymore.”Sophie sat beside her on the bed, the mattress sinking under their weight. “You can talk to me. Whatever it is, I promise I’ll listen.”Victoria bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill over. “
`The following day was gray and overcast, a perfect reflection of Victoria’s mood. She stared out the window, watching the rain fall in soft, relentless sheets, feeling as if the world outside mirrored the turmoil inside her. Despite Sophie’s encouragement, the heaviness in her chest didn’t lighten.“Vic?” Sophie’s voice broke through the fog of her thoughts. She entered the living room, a warm cup of tea in her hands. “I thought you might like this.”“Thanks,” Victoria replied, taking the steaming mug. She wrapped her fingers around it, letting the warmth seep into her cold hands, but the gesture couldn’t thaw the chill that had settled deep within her.Sophie perched on the edge of the coffee table, leaning forward, concern written all over her face. “I know it’s tough right now, but you really need to think about your happiness. You can’t let this situation consume you.”“I just don’t know how to be happy right now,” Victoria admitted, her voice heavy with resignation. “Everything
The venue buzzed with the chatter and laughter of family and friends as Victoria stepped inside, the vibrant atmosphere contrasting sharply with the heaviness she felt in her chest. It was Daniel’s mother’s birthday celebration, and while everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves, Victoria couldn’t shake the feeling of disconnect. She felt like an outsider in a world that once felt familiar.“Victoria! I’m so glad you made it!” Daniel’s mother—Evelyn called, her warm smile cutting through Victoria’s thoughts.“Of course! Happy birthday!” Victoria replied, forcing a smile as she approached her mother-in-law.As she moved further into the room, she spotted Daniel across the crowd, animatedly chatting with his family. The sight tugged at her heartstrings, a bittersweet reminder of the connection they used to share. Just then, she caught a glimpse of a figure lingering near the bar. He stood a bit apart from the others, his demeanor quieter, almost reserved.“Who’s that?” she wondere
The gathering had started to wind down, the initial buzz of laughter and conversation fading into quieter exchanges and soft music playing in the background. Victoria had found a moment of solace at the edge of the party, observing the mingling guests and nursing her drink. She was lost in thought when she felt a presence beside her.“Mind if I join you?” Zander asked, his voice low and calm, cutting through the haze of her contemplation.Victoria turned to see Daniel’s half-brother, his demeanor noticeably reserved. “Not at all,” she replied, offering a small smile as he leaned against the wall next to her.Zander glanced around the room, then focused back on her. “You seem a bit detached from all the excitement. Everything okay?”His genuine inquiry caught her off guard. “Just… a lot on my mind, I guess,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.“Yeah, I get that,” Zander said, his eyes reflecting a depth of understanding that Victoria hadn’t expected. “Family events can be o
The days turned into weeks, and the silence between Victoria and Daniel deepened into a chasm that felt insurmountable. Mornings started with a mechanical routine—breakfast prepared, children sent off to school, and obligatory small talk that barely scratched the surface. The emotional distance grew more pronounced, suffocating their once vibrant connection.One morning, as Victoria sipped her coffee, she noticed Daniel scrolling through his phone again, his brows furrowed in concentration. The sight tugged at her heart. “Are you working today?” she asked, trying to breach the wall between them.“Just catching up on some emails,” he replied without looking up. “Nothing urgent.”She nodded, but the disappointment settled heavily in her chest. “You’ve been working a lot lately.”“Yeah, it’s busy,” he muttered, finally glancing at her but quickly looking away.“I wish we could spend some time together,” she ventured, her voice soft but hopeful.Daniel shrugged. “Maybe later. I’ve got to
Victoria sat at the small kitchen table, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. The familiar smell of her mother’s homemade pastries wafted through the air, a comforting reminder of her childhood. Rita moved around the kitchen, humming softly to herself as she prepared breakfast.“Good morning, dear,” she said, her tone brightening as she caught sight of Victoria’s somber expression. “You look tired. Did you not sleep well?”Victoria forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Just a lot on my mind, Mom.”Rita frowned, setting a plate of fresh croissants in front of her. “You know, you really should take better care of yourself. Stressing over things that don’t matter will only wear you down.”“What do you mean by that?” Victoria asked, her heart heavy with unspoken truths.“Your family, honey. You need to focus on keeping the home together. Daniel loves you; you just have to remind him of that.”“I don’t think it’s that simple,” Victoria replied, her voice barely above a w
Victoria stood in the parking lot, the afternoon sun casting long shadows as she loaded her groceries into the trunk of her car. Her mind was still swirling with the conversation she had with her mother, the weight of her worries pressing down like a heavy cloak.As she closed the trunk, she heard a familiar voice call out. “Hey, Victoria!”Turning, she saw Zander leaning against a nearby car, his arms crossed casually over his chest. He looked relaxed, a stark contrast to the chaos that often filled her life. His reserved demeanor drew her in, and she felt an inexplicable sense of relief wash over her.“Hey, Zander,” she replied, forcing a smile despite the heaviness in her heart.“What are you doing here?” he asked, tilting his head slightly, his gaze assessing but not intrusive.“Just picking up some groceries,” she said, motioning to the bags in her trunk. “How about you?”“Just finished a workout,” he said, glancing down at his gym bag resting at his feet. “Thought I’d grab a pro
The house was silent, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the floorboards as Victoria moved about the kitchen. The grocery bags were long unpacked, and the dishes she hadn’t needed to wash still sat drying on the counter. The routine was mindless, but her hands kept busy, scrubbing at invisible marks on the countertop as though the action might wipe away the lingering thoughts clawing at her mind.She glanced at the clock above the stove. 11:17 PM. Daniel was already in bed, or at least she assumed so. He hadn’t said anything when he turned off the television and disappeared down the hallway. No “goodnight,” no small acknowledgment that she was still there.Victoria sighed and leaned against the counter, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The ache in her heart hadn’t dulled; it had only sharpened with the passing hours. She stared out the kitchen window into the dark void of the backyard, the faint outline of the fence barely visible under the
R-18The wedding was a blast. Every people that Victoria loved was there, it was far different from the wedding she had, 7 years ago. Victoria was now at the veranda of their house, the reception was held into their house garden where she personally took care of the flowers, looking below, with a glass of champagne on her right hand. She was now wearing her chiffon dress as her reception dress. A hand suddenly snaked around her wait, she doesn’t have to look who was it. No one would dare to get their hand on her, the moment, Zander announced she was his wife. “Are you tired?” Zander muttered and drop a soft kissed near her ears. “Nah, just happy,” She said while glancing at the party in front of her, “After seven years of fake and failed marriage, I never thought that I could be this happy again, the last time that I remembered that I was genuinely happy was when Ethan was born,” “The last time that I got so happy was when you told me you love me too,” Victoria chuckled, and s
R-18The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the backyard, where the soft murmur of the evening breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers. Victoria sat on the back porch, her legs tucked beneath her, watching the tranquility unfold around her. The city hummed in the distance, but here, in this small pocket of serenity, everything felt perfect.Zander joined her quietly, settling beside her on the steps, a glass of wine in hand. He offered it to her with a soft smile, the warmth in his eyes more intimate than words.“To new beginnings,” he said, his voice low, and the look he gave her seemed to say so much more.Victoria accepted the glass, feeling the coolness of the wine against her fingertips, the familiar strength of his presence beside her. “To new beginnings,” she echoed, taking a sip, the rich taste spreading across her tongue. She glanced around at their friends—Ethan and Sophie, laughing by the grill, teasing each other about their cooking skills. Th
The evening had settled in, a peaceful quiet enveloping the apartment, broken only by the soft clink of glasses and the faint hum of city life in the distance. Victoria sat on the couch, a glass of wine in hand, her eyes focused on the canvas before her.The room was filled with the aroma of fresh paint, an ever-present reminder of the work she poured her soul into. Zander, sitting across from her, leaned back in the chair, his eyes fixed on her with a quiet admiration.“You know,” Zander said, breaking the comfortable silence, “sometimes I can’t help but wonder what our life will look like in a few years.”Victoria’s fingers paused on the brush, her eyes lifting to meet his. “What do you mean?”Zander smiled, his gaze steady. “I mean, we’ve come so far already, and I keep thinking about where we’re going. I want to know your dreams. Not just about today or tomorrow, but about the future. What do you see for us?”Victoria sat back, her mind racing. She had never fully allowed herself
The morning of the wedding arrived with a warm, golden hue filling the sky. It was a perfect day, as though the world had conspired to give them this one, flawless moment. Victoria stood in front of the mirror, taking in the reflection of the woman she had become.The dress she wore, a simple yet elegant design of lace and satin, glimmered with the soft light that streamed in from the window. Her makeup was light, and her hair was softly curled, framing her face in delicate waves. She felt beautiful, not just in appearance, but in every way that truly mattered.“Mommy!” Ethan’s voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her away from the mirror. She turned around to see him standing at the door, eyes wide with excitement, wearing his little suit. He looked so much like Zander that it made her heart ache with love.“Hey, my handsome boy,” Victoria said, crouching down to his level. She brushed her fingers through his hair, feeling a lump rise in her throat.“I’m ready, Mommy,” Ethan sai
Victoria sat at the dining table, her phone in hand, scrolling through endless wedding inspiration posts. Zander walked in from the living room, a cup of coffee in hand, and sat down across from her.“You’re deep into wedding mode, huh?” Zander chuckled, watching as Victoria flipped through photos.Victoria sighed, running her fingers through her hair. “I just want everything to feel right, you know? Nothing too extravagant, but still special. It has to be perfect for us.”Zander leaned back in his chair, his eyes softening as he watched her. “We’ll make it perfect. You don’t have to stress. It’s about us—our family—and the people who love us.”Victoria smiled, grateful for his calm demeanor. “I know, I know. It’s just hard to narrow down choices when everything is so… big. I don’t want to overwhelm Ethan or make him feel like it’s all too much.”Zander reached over and gently placed his hand over hers. “It’ll be easy, love. Whatever we do, it’ll be just right because it’s ours. Ethan
The sun had begun to dip below the horizon, casting a soft glow over the balcony where Victoria and Sophie sat side by side, a quiet evening breeze brushing through their hair. The past few years had been a whirlwind of change, growth, and, sometimes, heartbreak—but in this moment, the two women found solace in each other’s company, reflecting on the journey that had brought them to this point.Sophie took a deep breath, staring out at the city lights below. “It’s crazy, isn’t it? How much has changed in such a short time.”Victoria nodded, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her wine glass. “I never thought we’d end up here, Sophie. I don’t know where I thought I’d be, but it wasn’t this.”“Yeah,” Sophie said with a laugh, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “I remember when you first told me about Ethan’s father, and all that drama with Zander. I thought, ‘How is she going to get through all of this?’”Victoria chuckled, the memory of those chaotic days bringing a bittersweet smile to
Ethan sat at the kitchen table, his small hands gripping a crayon as he carefully drew shapes on the piece of paper in front of him. His tongue stuck out in concentration as he shaded in a house, a tree, and a bright sun in the corner. Victoria watched him from the counter, a warm smile tugging at her lips.Zander, who had just finished making breakfast, placed a plate of pancakes in front of her before sitting down next to Ethan. He ruffled Ethan’s hair, his touch gentle. “How’s the masterpiece coming along, buddy?”Ethan beamed up at him, his eyes sparkling with pride. “It’s almost done! I’m going to make it perfect, just like you said.”Victoria couldn’t help but chuckle at his determination. It had been like this for weeks now—Ethan was always eager to learn, to create, to take on new challenges. Ever since they moved into the house, he had become more energetic, more confident. He was flourishing, thriving in this environment that was filled with love, safety, and encouragement.
Victoria stepped through the front door, feeling the cool air conditioning hit her face as she walked into the living room. The house was spacious—modern, but cozy, with light wooden floors that gleamed under the soft lighting. A large sectional sofa rested in the center of the room, complemented by a sleek coffee table. The walls were a soft, neutral beige, with just the right amount of warmth from the sunlight pouring through the windows.“Do you like it?” Zander asked, standing beside her with a hopeful look on his face. His hands were stuffed into the pockets of his jeans, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.Victoria smiled, walking further into the room. “I love it,” she said, taking in the high ceilings, the contemporary decor, and the natural light. “It’s perfect. It feels… like home.”Zander grinned, his arms crossing as he took a step closer. “Yeah? I was a little nervous, honestly. I wanted it to feel right for you too.”“It feels right,” she repeated, her voice soft. She
The soft afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the living room. Victoria sat on the couch, her legs tucked under her as she gazed out the window, lost in thought.She had spent so much of her life trying to figure out who she was and where she belonged. She had spent years resenting her mother, Rita, for things that had happened in their past, but now, she found herself in a place where understanding, though still delicate, was beginning to bloom.The doorbell rang, pulling Victoria from her thoughts. She straightened up, wiping the faintest trace of tears from her eyes. It had been a quiet day, one where memories had bubbled up, and the weight of everything that had transpired felt heavier than usual. But there was something in her that told her this day would be different.She opened the door to find Rita standing there, a gentle smile on her face. There was no anger or resentment, just a tentative peace in her expression that made Victoria pause.“Ma