Victoria sat beside Ethan’s hospital bed, her hand gently resting on his, her gaze fixed on his pale face. The events of the past few days had felt like a blur, and all she could do now was focus on the present. Ethan was recovering, but the fear and uncertainty still hung in the air. His condition had been critical, but thanks to Zander, his life had been spared.Zander paced across the small room, his thoughts a whirlwind. He couldn’t help but glance at Victoria every now and then, noticing the exhaustion that clung to her features. She was still processing everything—everything they had learned about Ethan’s true paternity, everything that had happened in the wake of the chaos. But for now, there were more pressing matters to attend to. Ethan needed them.“I can’t believe how close we came to losing him,” Victoria said softly, her voice trembling. She swallowed, blinking back tears as she squeezed Ethan’s hand. “If it weren’t for you…” Her voice faltered, but Zander quickly crossed
Victoria stood in front of her latest piece, the one that had taken her the longest to finish, tracing the edges of the brush strokes with her fingers as she waited for the guests to arrive. The gallery was alive with the hum of soft chatter and the clinking of glasses, but Victoria felt like she was in a bubble—detached from it all. She hadn’t expected anything to be easy anymore, but tonight felt different. More tense.When the doorbell chimed, she looked up, expecting another visitor to wander in, but her heart sank when she saw Rita.Rita sauntered in, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, and a small smirk spread across her face as she surveyed the room. “Quite the crowd tonight,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.Victoria straightened her posture and forced a smile. “Rita, I didn’t expect to see you here.”“Clearly,” Rita replied, her eyes scanning the space, not bothering to meet Victoria’s gaze. “I’ve heard a lot of buzz about your little show. Figured I’d com
Victoria sat by Ethan’s bedside, the soft hum of the hospital room filling the quiet moments between them. The sterile smell of antiseptic mixed with the faint scent of fresh flowers from the bouquet on the windowsill. Ethan had finally woken up after a few days of rest, and though he was still weak, his smile, when it appeared, was as bright as ever.She reached for his hand, gently squeezing it as she smiled down at him. “How are you feeling today, honey?” she asked, her voice low and soothing, the words coming naturally as she had said them a hundred times before.Ethan blinked at her, his small brow furrowing as he sat up a bit more in the bed. “Better. My head doesn’t hurt as much now. But… I don’t really like being here.”Victoria chuckled softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “I know, sweetie. I don’t like seeing you like this either. But you’re getting better every day, and that’s what matters.”Ethan nodded but looked away for a moment, staring out the wind
Sophie stood at the entrance of the exhibit, taking in the full scope of the space. The walls were lined with vibrant, powerful pieces—each one telling a piece of Victoria’s story, capturing the raw emotion of the journey that had defined her. Sophie had always admired Victoria’s work, but today, as she stepped closer to the pieces, there was something new. Something deeper.Victoria’s voice broke the silence as she approached. “How does it look?” she asked, her tone a mix of hope and uncertainty. Her eyes searched Sophie’s face, waiting for a reaction.Sophie took a moment before responding, walking slowly from one painting to the next, her fingers gently grazing the air in front of them as she studied the layers of color, the texture, the movement. “You’ve evolved,” she said softly, her gaze focused on one particular piece. “I can feel your transformation in every brushstroke. These aren’t just paintings anymore—they’re parts of you.”Victoria’s breath hitched at Sophie’s words. “I’
Victoria stood in her studio, the door closed behind her, the soft hum of the city far away. She gazed around at the scattered canvases, each one a reflection of her journey—each one a piece of herself, her struggles, her healing, her dreams. The room, once filled with doubt and hesitation, now felt like a safe haven, a place where she could breathe, think, and, most importantly, create.Her fingers traced the edge of a new canvas, blank and waiting. It was both a challenge and an invitation. The fear that had once gripped her when facing an empty space had softened over time. The brush in her hand no longer felt like a tool of expression she was afraid of. It had become an extension of herself, a way to channel everything she couldn’t say into something tangible.The light filtered through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the room, but the atmosphere felt different today. It was quiet, peaceful. A kind of tranquility she hadn’t allowed herself in years.Sitting down in f
Daniel sat in the dimly lit office, the sharp scent of wood polish and leather filling the air. He sat across from his lawyer, feeling the tension in the room grow thicker with each passing second.His fingers were pressed together, the knuckles white from the pressure, and he couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling in his stomach. He wasn’t sure if it was the weight of everything he’d lost or the uncertainty of what was to come, but the feeling lingered.His lawyer, a stoic man who had seen it all, spoke with a quiet finality. “You’ve lost everything, Daniel. The investments, the company, the house, and most painfully, your family. There’s nothing left to fight for.”Daniel’s gaze was distant as he stared out the window. The world outside moved on, indifferent to his personal crisis. He didn’t feel like he had the energy to keep up with it anymore. Everything felt hollow, like a game he’d been playing without realizing the rules had changed. He was losing.A bitter laugh escaped his lips,
Victoria stood in the kitchen, her hands running through the familiar motions of preparing dinner. Ethan’s laughter drifted in from the living room, his small voice muffled by the television. The house was quieter than it had been in a long while. She hadn’t expected life to be easy, but she was managing.Her phone buzzed on the counter, the familiar ringtone for Zander. She hesitated, looking at the screen for a moment, before swiping it away.Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Ethan’s footsteps in the hall. He appeared at the kitchen door, still clutching his toy dinosaur.“Mom, I’m hungry,” he said, eyes wide, expectant.Victoria smiled, a tired but genuine smile. “Dinner’s almost ready. You can set the table if you want.”Ethan grinned, running to grab the plates. She watched him for a moment, the warmth in her chest growing despite everything. Despite the uncertainty, the mess, the chaos that had become her life.There was a knock on the door.Victoria raised an eyebro
The sound of Ethan’s laughter echoed in Victoria’s ears as she waved him off, watching him climb into the carpool van. His little hand pressed against the window, waving enthusiastically as the van began to pull away. “Bye, Mom!” he called out, his bright eyes filled with excitement.“Bye, sweetheart,” she whispered, a small smile playing on her lips. She lingered at the doorway for a moment, relishing the quiet triumph of her morning routine. It had taken time, but Ethan was settling well. Life wasn’t perfect, but it was moving forward.Returning inside, she set her coffee mug on the counter, the soft clink breaking the morning silence. Zander’s absence was palpable. His business trip left the house feeling emptier than usual, though she tried not to let it bother her. The day stretched ahead, quiet and unassuming—until the sharp chime of the doorbell shattered the stillness.Victoria approached the door, her brows furrowing as she peered through the peephole. The sight of Maya stand
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