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
The car pulled up to the sprawling entrance of the resort, a grand archway adorned with tropical flowers and a sign reading “Azure Bliss Resort.” Victoria gazed out the window, taking in the stunning landscape. Tall palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, their shadows dancing across the cobblestone driveway. Beyond the gates, she could glimpse the turquoise ocean meeting the horizon, its waves glittering under the midday sun.“It’s even more beautiful than the photos,” she murmured, stepping out of the car as Zander came around to her side, offering a hand.“Pictures never do justice,” he said with a soft smile, his sunglasses perched casually on his nose. “I thought we could use a change of scenery.”The lobby was just as breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a panoramic view of the ocean, while the open-air design allowed the sea breeze to waft through. Decorated in soothing earth tones with touches of blue, the space exuded understated luxury. Guests in flowy beach attire
The sound of Ethan’s laughter filled the kitchen as Victoria flipped a pancake onto his plate. He was perched on a stool, his chin propped on his small hands, watching her every move with wide eyes.“Mom, are you sure you didn’t train to be a chef?” Ethan teased, his grin revealing a missing front tooth.Victoria smirked, sliding the pan back onto the stove. “If you call burning toast during college training, then yes, I’m an expert.”Ethan giggled, drenching his pancake in syrup. “Well, you’re the best chef I know. Even better than Zander.”Victoria raised an eyebrow, handing him a fork. “Better than Zander? Careful, you might hurt his feelings.”Ethan shrugged, taking a big bite. “It’s true! Zander tries too hard. He even measures water for spaghetti.”Victoria laughed, sitting across from him. “He’s just precise. That’s what makes him good at everything.”Ethan paused, his fork hovering mid-air. “Mom?”“What’s up, buddy?”“Do you ever get tired?”Her brow furrowed. “Tired of what?”
The evening air was cool, and the soft hum of the city outside was the only sound that filled the quiet room of Zander’s house. Victoria sat on the couch, her legs tucked underneath her, her heart full as she watched Ethan and Zander play a game of cards at the coffee table.The simple, peaceful scene felt like something she had longed for, a sense of belonging that had seemed distant for so long. It was more than just the moment; it was a reflection of everything they had worked for, everything they had gone through together.Zander, who had always been reserved, now smiled openly as Ethan beat him at another round of the game. Ethan laughed, his innocent joy contagious, and Zander couldn’t help but join in, his heart swelling with pride. It was moments like this that made him feel that everything he had endured, all the struggles, had led him here, to this point.Zander glanced up at Victoria, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. She smiled back at him, her eyes soft but filled wi
Victoria was in the middle of sorting through some paperwork when she heard the soft knock on her door. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she was ready for another conversation with Rita, but with a deep breath, she stood up and walked to the door.Opening it, she found Rita standing there, her posture tense but her eyes searching for something—perhaps understanding, perhaps peace.“Rita,” Victoria said, a little uncertain.“Can I come in?” Rita asked, her voice quiet, almost hesitant.Victoria stepped aside, allowing Rita to enter. She could tell that there was something different about her today—something more open. She gestured to the couch. “Have a seat.”Rita sat down, looking around the room before meeting Victoria’s gaze. “I didn’t come here to cause trouble, Victoria. I wanted to talk… to apologize.”Victoria folded her arms, still unsure of where this conversation would go. “I didn’t think I’d hear that from you.”Rita let out a small sigh, her voice almost a whisper. “I
The air was filled with excitement as Victoria made her way to Sophie’s apartment. She had received a message from Sophie earlier that day, asking her to come over as soon as she could. The tone of the message had been unusually urgent, but when she arrived, Sophie greeted her with a wide smile, her eyes sparkling.“Vic, I have something amazing to tell you!” Sophie exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet.Victoria raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You look like you’re about to burst. What’s going on?”Sophie grinned, ushering her inside. “Come on, sit down. I need to tell you something important.”Victoria followed her into the living room, where Sophie sat down, her hands clasped together in excitement. Sophie had always been the one to dive into new adventures with a carefree attitude, but today, there was a different kind of energy in the air.“So,” Sophie started, taking a deep breath as she looked at Victoria. “I’ve been keeping something from you… I’m engaged!”Victoria’s eyes
The opening night of Victoria’s art exhibit was a whirlwind of emotions. The gallery was alive with conversations, laughter, and the soft clinking of glasses as guests milled about, admiring her work. The walls were adorned with the vibrant, raw pieces that had been years in the making. Each canvas told a story—of struggles, triumphs, and everything in between. Victoria had poured her soul into every stroke of paint, and tonight, that passion was finally on display for the world to see.Zander had arrived early, eager to support her. He was standing by her side, his pride evident as he watched her interact with the guests. The people in the room, artists and critics alike, were buzzing with praise for her work. Victoria had been nervous at first, unsure if her art would be received well. But as the night went on, her doubts melted away.“Your work is incredible,” one of the critics said, his voice filled with admiration as he took in the details of one of her larger pieces. “There’s a
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