โVic, I need you to listen to me,โ Sophie said, her tone firm yet gentle as they sat in a quiet corner of the cafรฉ. โYou canโt keep putting everyone elseโs happiness ahead of your own.โVictoria looked out the window, watching the bustling city streets, but her mind was miles away. โI donโt know if I can justโฆ choose me, Sophie. Itโs not that simple.โSophie reached across the table, gently touching her hand. โI get it, I do. But youโre always looking out for everyone else, always trying to make sure theyโre okay. What about you? What do you want?โVictoria let out a shaky breath, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. โI want to feel like I have control, Sophie. But every time I make a decision, it feels like itโs never really my own. Itโs like Iโm stuck between whatโs expected of me and what I really want.โSophie studied her for a moment, her gaze softening. โIโm not saying itโs going to be easy, or that it wonโt come with consequences. But at some point, you have to decide
โVictoria.โ Danielโs voice was low, almost coaxing as he leaned against the doorframe of her apartment. He looked different todayโmore disheveled, eyes filled with a certain intensity she hadnโt seen in him before.She didnโt look up from where she was organizing her art supplies. โWhat do you want, Daniel?โ she asked, her voice steady but tinged with annoyance.He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. โIโve been thinking a lot about us,โ he began, walking slowly toward her. โAbout what we hadโฆ what we could have had. I know things got complicated, but it doesnโt have to stay that way.โVictoria remained quiet, her hands still busy sorting through her paints. She wasnโt sure if she wanted to engage in this conversation. โYou always say that, but nothing ever changes, Daniel. You say one thing, then do another.โDanielโs gaze softened. He took a step closer, his voice lowering even more. โIโm serious, Victoria. Iโve changed. Iโve been looking at things differently. I want
Ethan sat at the kitchen table, his small fingers tracing the edge of his juice cup, his gaze flickering between Victoria and the empty chair across from her. The changes hadnโt gone unnoticed by him. The silence that hung heavier in the air, the way Victoria would turn away when she thought he wasnโt looking, her sadness that lingered in the corners of the room. He could see it all, even if he didnโt fully understand it.โMama,โ Ethan said softly, his voice breaking through the quiet. โWhy do you cry sometimes?โVictoriaโs heart jolted. She hadnโt meant for him to see this, to feel the weight of her pain. Sheโd hoped to protect him from it, shield him from the cracks that were forming around them. But Ethan was sharp, more aware than she realized.โIโmโฆ Iโm not crying, baby,โ she replied, though her voice wavered. She wiped at her eyes, but it didnโt help.Ethanโs brow furrowed as he leaned forward, his little hands resting on the table. โYou are, Mama,โ he said simply, his voice sof
Danielโs office was quiet, save for the low hum of the phone in his hand and the occasional murmur of voices coming from the hallway. He was pacing back and forth, his mind racing with thoughts of how to fix everything. It had been days since Victoria had walked away, and no matter how many times he called, she wouldnโt pick up. The frustration was starting to gnaw at him.He dialed another number, his fingers trembling as he waited for the call to connect. As it rang, he glanced at the clock on his desk. Time was slipping through his fingers, and he knew he couldnโt afford to waste any more of it. This deal with the investors was his last shot at pulling everything together. It was his chance to prove that he could still hold onto his empire, his family, and maybeโjust maybeโget Victoria back.The phone clicked on the other end. โDaniel, whatโs up?โ came the voice of Michael, his old business partner.โDad,โ Daniel greeted, his voice tight. โI need your help. These investorsโthis dea
โDo you think theyโll understand it?โ Victoria asked, staring at the canvas in front of her, her eyes focused but distant. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the studio lights and the occasional sound of her brush swishing across the surface.Sophie stood nearby, watching her work, her arms crossed. โTheyโll get it. But itโs more about what you feel when you look at it, right?โVictoria dipped her brush in a dark shade of blue, the color spreading across the canvas in slow, deliberate strokes. โI guess.โ She paused, looking at the abstract shapes she had painted over the past few days. โItโs justโฆ hard. Every time I step back, I feel like itโs missing something. Like itโs incomplete, just like me.โSophie raised an eyebrow, taking a few steps closer. โYouโre talking about more than just the painting, arenโt you?โVictoria set her brush down and wiped her hands on the rag. She didnโt answer immediately. Instead, she picked up a small photo frame from the corner of the table,
The gallery buzzed with the hum of quiet conversations, the clink of glasses, and the soft shuffle of footsteps on the polished floors. Victoria stood near the entrance, her hands nervously clasped in front of her. Her heart raced, but she didnโt let it show.Sophie was by her side, smiling with quiet encouragement. โItโs happening, Vic. Youโve worked hard for this.โVictoria glanced over at the walls lined with her pieces, each one a reflection of a part of her journey, a part of herself. The colors and textures told stories that no words ever could.โYou think theyโll understand?โ Victoria asked, her voice low.Sophie gave her a reassuring look. โTheyโll see you. Theyโll see everything youโve poured into this.โA couple approached, offering polite smiles. Victoria forced a smile in return. โThank you for coming,โ she said, her voice barely above a whisper.โOf course,โ the woman replied. โIโve heard so much about your work. Itโs impressive, really. I see the emotions youโve captured
Victoria stood near one of her larger pieces, her arms crossed as she observed the crowd around her. The gallery was buzzing with conversation, some admiring the work, others discussing it in more hushed tones. She could feel her heart rate pick up, the tension in her chest a constant reminder of the conflict she was trying to ignore.A couple walked by, stopping in front of a piece depicting a fragmented landscape, symbolic of her emotional journey. The womanโs voice broke through the murmur of the crowd.โThis one feelsโฆ heavy,โ she said, glancing at the man beside her. โLike somethingโs missing. Like the pieces are scattered but canโt quite fit together.โVictoria tensed, her fingers digging into the fabric of her dress as she tried to calm herself. She wanted to say something, to explain, but she stayed silent, watching them walk away, their words lingering in the air.Zander appeared at her side, leaning in slightly, his presence a small comfort. โItโs not easy, is it?โ he said s
Daniel stormed into the gallery, his face a storm cloud of anger and desperation. The loud murmur of conversations faltered as eyes turned to him, but he didnโt care. His gaze locked onto Victoria, who was standing by one of her pieces, her back straight, her eyes focused ahead.โVictoria!โ His voice cracked through the air like a whip, drawing a sharp gasp from nearby guests. โYou think thisโthis pathetic little exhibition is going to fix everything?โThe room fell silent. Zander, who had been chatting with some of the guests, immediately stepped forward, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Daniel. โWhat the hell are you doing here?โDanielโs eyes flickered to Zander but quickly returned to Victoria. โYouโre all pretending like thisโlike your little art showโmakes everything better. You think the lies, the betrayal, the mess Iโve been dragged into is just going to disappear because you put paint on a canvas?โ He took a step forward, his voice rising. โYou think this is enough to erase
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 doesnโt have to look who was it. No one would dare to get their hand on her, the moment, Zander announced she was his wife. โAre you tired?โ Zander muttered and drop a soft kissed near her ears. โNah, just happy,โ She said while glancing at the party in front of her, โAfter 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,โ โThe last time that I got so happy was when you told me you love me too,โ 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.โTo new beginnings,โ 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. โTo new beginnings,โ she echoed, taking a sip, the rich taste spreading across her tongue. She glanced around at their friendsโEthan 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.โYou know,โ Zander said, breaking the comfortable silence, โsometimes I canโt help but wonder what our life will look like in a few years.โVictoriaโs fingers paused on the brush, her eyes lifting to meet his. โWhat do you mean?โZander smiled, his gaze steady. โI mean, weโve come so far already, and I keep thinking about where weโre going. I want to know your dreams. Not just about today or tomorrow, but about the future. What do you see for us?โVictoria 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.โMommy!โ Ethanโs 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.โHey, my handsome boy,โ Victoria said, crouching down to his level. She brushed her fingers through his hair, feeling a lump rise in her throat.โIโm ready, Mommy,โ 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.โYouโre deep into wedding mode, huh?โ Zander chuckled, watching as Victoria flipped through photos.Victoria sighed, running her fingers through her hair. โI just want everything to feel right, you know? Nothing too extravagant, but still special. It has to be perfect for us.โZander leaned back in his chair, his eyes softening as he watched her. โWeโll make it perfect. You donโt have to stress. Itโs about usโour familyโand the people who love us.โVictoria smiled, grateful for his calm demeanor. โI know, I know. Itโs just hard to narrow down choices when everything is soโฆ big. I donโt want to overwhelm Ethan or make him feel like itโs all too much.โZander reached over and gently placed his hand over hers. โItโll be easy, love. Whatever we do, itโll be just right because itโs 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, heartbreakโbut in this moment, the two women found solace in each otherโs company, reflecting on the journey that had brought them to this point.Sophie took a deep breath, staring out at the city lights below. โItโs crazy, isnโt it? How much has changed in such a short time.โVictoria nodded, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her wine glass. โI never thought weโd end up here, Sophie. I donโt know where I thought Iโd be, but it wasnโt this.โโYeah,โ Sophie said with a laugh, her voice tinged with nostalgia. โI remember when you first told me about Ethanโs father, and all that drama with Zander. I thought, โHow is she going to get through all of this?โโVictoria 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 Ethanโs hair, his touch gentle. โHowโs the masterpiece coming along, buddy?โEthan beamed up at him, his eyes sparkling with pride. โItโs almost done! Iโm going to make it perfect, just like you said.โVictoria couldnโt help but chuckle at his determination. It had been like this for weeks nowโEthan 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 spaciousโmodern, 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.โDo you like it?โ 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. โI love it,โ she said, taking in the high ceilings, the contemporary decor, and the natural light. โItโs perfect. It feelsโฆ like home.โZander grinned, his arms crossing as he took a step closer. โYeah? I was a little nervous, honestly. I wanted it to feel right for you too.โโIt feels right,โ 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.โMa