Despite Grace's persistent pleas, I refrained from filing charges against Jasper and his family. Instead, we reached an agreement that required them to sign legal documents, affirming their commitment to maintaining distance from me and the girls. Additionally, they agreed to comply with the existing restraining order, which had been issued prior to the audacious abduction incident.Although Grace remained unimpressed by the level of cooperation displayed by my former in-laws, I found solace in the fact that I and my children, are finally shielded from their persistent problems. I am relieved that I won't bear the responsibility of causing further suffering to an entire family.Upon the recommendation of the school counselor, Anna and Bella will commence therapy sessions starting next weekend. In the meantime, the school has advised them to take the remainder of this week off to unwind, allowing them to return to school the following week, refreshed and ready for their initial therapy
Days have passed since I made the call to Noah, but his only response was a brief text message: "Sorry, I missed your call. Will get in touch with you soon." It has been radio silence ever since.On a Saturday afternoon, I accompanied the girls to their initial therapy session, as recommended. Once their sessions conclude, I seize the opportunity to have a conversation with the therapist. He assured me that my daughters don't exhibit any signs of emotional trauma. However, he suggests continuing the sessions for a few more weeks primarily for observation purposes. Leaving the therapist's office, my thoughts drifted to Noah, and I couldn't help but feel a strong sense of longing for him.Curious, I pondered to myself, wondering why I'm missing someone I barely know. What is it about him that elicits this longing within me?Reading my mind, Anna interrupted my thoughts and asked, "Where is Mr.Noah?"Carefully choosing my words, I inquired, "Why do you ask, dear?"Ever since that day we
The remaining part of the afternoon was devoted to engaging in a game of Monopoly alongside my daughters. Once we departed from Jane's place, we made a stop at a Chicke store, where we indulged in a delectable assortment of crispy drumsticks, French fries, and sodas. Despite my earnest attempts to immerse myself in the game and entertain my girls, my thoughts incessantly veer towards Noah, compelling me to repeatedly glance at my phone in anticipation of a call or text message. Why hasn't he returned my call?Is he incredibly occupied to the extent that he cannot spare a mere minute or two to reach out and inquire about my well-being and the well-being of my daughters? I am aware that he leads a highly demanding life, but it seems implausible that anyone could be so occupied as to be incapable of sparing even 30 seconds to send a text message, at the very least. Is he deliberately avoiding me? What could be the reason behind his avoidance? And why am I so deeply affected by his silen
Despite my disappointment when Noah's phone call goes directly to voicemail, I remained determined not to surrender. I left a heartfelt message, expressing my concern for his well-being and kindly requesting that he reach out to me upon receiving my message to confirm that he is alright.Leaving the voice mail message didn't provide the satisfaction I sought. There is an undeniable yearning within me to see Noah, and I couldn't deny that I am strongly drawn to him. Perhaps it was the courageous role he played in rescuing my children from captivity that awakened this attraction, or maybe it has always existed within me but remained suppressed. Regardless, I found myself genuinely interested in pursuing a relationship with him, should he still hold an interest in me.All the reservations I once had about dating Noah have vanished, especially after the enlightening phone conversation I had with my mother. Moreover, Grace was absolutely right in saying that I don't owe anyone an apology
I was interrupted from my pensive state by a gentle knock on the door. "Yes?" I inquired, shifting my attention.Joe pops his head through the slightly ajar door, sporting a broad smile. "Hey, boss. Finished with your phone call?""Fortunately, yes," I replied, mirroring his grin. "Are we ready to proceed with inventory for restocking?""Well, actually," he says mischievously, his smile widening. "There's someone here to see you.""Who?" I asked, perplexed by his enigmatic behavior.In response, he merely flashed a teasing grin and playfully wiggles his impeccably groomed eyebrows.I narrowed my eyes, trying to decipher Joe's game.Who could this visitor be, and why is Joe so eagerly anticipating their arrival?A sudden realization sparked in my mind, causing my heart to race with anticipation. Could it really be the person I'm hoping for?"Who's here to see me?" I inquired, almost breathless, turning to Joe for confirmation."Why don't you come and find out for yourself?" he responde
Before leaving the shopping complex garage where my store is located, I made a considerate call to Mrs. P, informing her that I may arrive home later than usual tonight. It's important to me to give her a heads-up and ask her to hold down the fort until my return, although she doesn't mind. I believe it's a matter of common courtesy to let her know if our regular routine will be disrupted for any reason.As I embarked on my journey, I was filled with enthusiasm despite feeling uncertain about what to say to Noah when we meet. Or if we meet, my mind corrected me. I could only imagine how frustrating it must be for him, attempting to understand my intentions and continually falling short. One moment I'm gazing at him affectionately, and the next I'm pushing him away, behaving as if he's a predator ready to consume me. If I were in his position, I would be quite annoyed, so I can only speculate about how he must be feeling now.A man who possesses immense wealth and has the luxury of cho
As I cautiously approached Noah , he raised his glass to his lips, maintaining an unwavering gaze on me. His piercing eyes fixate on me, akin to a lion assessing the strategies of its prey, contemplating the optimal way to pounce and consume the vulnerable wanderer. As I drew nearer to his spot, he nonchalantly placed the glass on a nearby low stool, uncrossed his lengthy legs, and patiently awaited my next move.With a deliberate action, I raised the hem of my skirt above my knees, allowing ample space to straddle his thighs. Carefully, I descended onto his lap, positioning my hands firmly upon his chest, relishing the solidity of his expansive torso. The muscles beneath my palms were tense, reminiscent of tightly stretched guitar strings that threaten to snap under any additional pressure. Traversing my hands along his chest and shoulders, I maintained a fixed gaze upon his own eyes, attuned to the precise moment when their luminous curiosity transformed into a smoldering hunger.
When I returned home at 7:15 p.m., my daughters' curiosity was evident as they eagerly awaited my arrival. I bought a load of groceries and a bag containing six delectable glazed doughnuts. Eating snacks was prohibited after 4 p.m. in my house, but today was an exception. I was overwhelmed with happiness and craved something exceptionally sweet to round up the day. Expressing my gratitude, I sincerely thank Mrs. P for accommodating my spontaneous request to stay late with the girls. Your presence and dedication meant the world to me, and I want you to know how much I value your assistance."Cassandra , please don't mention it," Mrs. P responded graciously. "I genuinely enjoy spending time with the children, and after all, it's part of my role here, isn't it?"Overwhelmed by her kindness, I struggled to find a sufficient way to express my gratitude. Mrs. P goes above and beyond for me, and I wanted her to understand just how much her efforts meant to me.Mrs. P greeted me with a warm
As soon as news of our engagement spread through the media, it quickly became the talk of the town across various news platforms in Seattle. True to form, there were a handful of envious individuals who seized the opportunity to launch a barrage of insults at me, resorting to all kinds of derogatory names. Some even went as far as suggesting that I must have employed supernatural means to captivate Noah's affections, questioning how a prosperous and youthful man could possibly be enamored by someone like me. Fortunately, my loyal friends emerged as my staunch defenders, taking on the trolls and even granting interviews on Instagram live streams to clear my tarnished reputation.Both Noah and I have consistently turned down interview requests, including those from reputable media outlets. His stance was that our relationship is not open for public scrutiny, a sentiment I wholeheartedly share. In accordance with our mutual decision, we have chosen to have a destination wedding at a ser
After precisely two months of reconciling with Noah , I made the decision to organize a surprise birthday celebration for him. With his 33rd birthday approaching, my aim was to create an intimate and elegant party to honor him. To bring this event to life, I sought the assistance of his closest friends, Fredrick and Jamiu, as well as his parents. They were all eager to contribute and help organize the occasion. Today, his family will be traveling from Spain to Seattle to attend the party, which will take place at the lavish residence of their family friend, Mr. Matthew Dawnson, a billionaire tycoon.Marilyn, who suggested the venue, assured me that Matthew's house in Seattle was the ideal location for the type of party I have envisioned. As it turns out, she was absolutely correct. The mansion occupied a vast expanse of land that seemed to extend infinitely, bordered by the tranquil waterfront of Kirkland lagoon.It felt as though we've stepped into a breathtaking Caribbean paradise r
Acting on a tip from Marilyn, I decided to visit one of Noah's clubs where an artist signed to his record label was performing tonight. Noah was unaware of my surprise visit, although he knew his mother had come to see me earlier. She had asked if she should inform him about my desire to meet up, but I declined, as I was the one who had cut ties with him and explicitly forbade him from contacting me again.As I approached the entrance, the bouncers inquired if my name was on the guest list. For the first time, doubts crept into my mind, questioning the wisdom of my impromptu visit. A sense of déjà vu washed over me, reminiscent of the day months ago when I went to Noah's residence for an unexpected meet up. That particular evening marked the beginning of our relationship and held the significance of our first intimate encounter. The memory brought a smile to my face, instilling in me the confidence to proceed with my purpose for the night.Approaching one of the colossal bouncers, I
The children and I didn't make it downstairs until slightly past 10 a.m. It had been an incredible night, courtesy of my unexpected visit from my cousin, Samuel , who asked if he could spend the weekend with us. I was delighted to have his company, and thanks to him, we stayed up later than usual, engaging in enjoyable games, a family karaoke session, and indulging in the junk food he had brought along.Luckily, today was Saturday, so there was no need to wake up at the crack of dawn to prepare for school and work. Samuel was still asleep on the couch in the living room where we had left him the previous night. I signaled to the girls to be quiet as we stealthily made our way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast."What are we having for breakfast?" Anna inquired eagerly. "I'm famished!""Shh! Let's not wake up Uncle Samuel ," Bella admonished her sister in a hushed tone."I agree," I responded softly. "After entertaining us so well last night, he deserves to rest.""Can we have eggs
As the new school year approached, my enthusiasm surpassed even that of my children. They often wondered what made me so cheerful. I was genuinely delighted to embrace the return of a structured routine. Each day held a sense of purpose: escorting my daughters to school, proceeding to work after bidding them farewell, accomplishing our weekly grocery shopping, enjoying quality time with my girlfriends every other weekend, and sporadically receiving visits from my siblings. These engagements filled my days with various activities, diverting my attention from ruminating about Noah and whether he and Reina managed to establish a connection after that dreadful morning four and a half months ago. It's astonishing how swiftly time has flown by!Interrupting my thoughts, Joe jovially exclaimed, "Knock, knock! Who's there?"I found myself seated in my office, experiencing a rather uneventful day in terms of business. Impatience consumed me as I eagerly anticipated the moment when I must pick
This morning's breakfast was a delightful and uncomplicated affair. I indulged in fried bean cakes, accompanied by corn pudding generously adorned with milk and sugar, and a serving of freshly baked bread. As I savored each bite, a rush of nostalgia envelopped me, transporting me back to my cherished childhood. It was during those Saturday mornings that my mother would skillfully prepare this delightful combination, her dedication evident after hours of meticulously cleaning the house and its surroundings. Ah, the fond memories of those days gone by.Noah, observing me intently with an inquisitive smile, playfully remarked, "Seems like our chef deserves a raise, considering the immense joy on your face. I never knew you were such an ardent fan of bean cakes. Or perhaps it's the velvety-smooth pudding that has brought about such happiness?"A gentle chuckle escaped my lips as I responded, "Not exactly. Although this food has undeniably transported me back to my childhood, it was my mot
The atmosphere in the car was heavy with silence as Noah and I made our way back to his house. The palpable tension reflected Noah's evident annoyance and embarrassment over the deplorable treatment I received from his parents during my inaugural visit to their home. While my family may not be affluent, I am certain that they would never exhibit such overt rudeness towards someone they were meeting for the first time. Age should not be a point of contention, and there is certainly nothing inherently terrible about having children. Yet, they made me feel as if I were afflicted with a contagious disease. Why did Marilyn, in particular, direct such venomous hostility towards me from the moment she laid eyes on me? And as for Reina , what is her ulterior motive? As we pulled up to Noah's house, his sour mood still hung in the air. I am torn about whether I should offer an apology to him, even though it was I who should feel offended, not him. With determined strides, he ascended the sta
As we reached the backyard, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Noah's father didn't match the image I had in my mind. Unlike what I expected, the elderly Taylor was tall, slender, and attractive, with hair that's gracefully greying. On the other hand, I couldn't help but feel annoyed when I saw Reina , who looked like she was part of the family. She was wearing tiny shorts that barely covered her buttocks, paired with a cropped knit top that showcased her extremely flat stomach. Her short hair was styled into shiny finger curls, complemented by sleek baby hairs at the front. She was also sporting a pair of Gucci slides, partially concealing her feet. As soon as she spotted me, she casted a deliberate, slow glance from my head to my toes, making it abundantly clear that she didn't welcome my presence. "Hello, Father!" Noah enthusiastically greeted his dad, extricating himself from his mother and approaching his father. "Hey, son!" Exclaimed the older Taylor , stepping forward t
Over the next three days, Noah and I immersed ourselves in exploring Spain to its fullest extent. We made it a point to visit various tourist attractions and indulge in sightseeing activities. To ensure my daughters were part of the experience, I diligently recorded each outing and shared the videos with them via my cousin's WhatsApp. Alternatively, I would connect with them through Skype during our trips, allowing them to witness our joyous outdoor adventures in real-time.On the fourth day of our stay in Spain, we were abruptly awakened at 7 a.m. by the persistent ringing of Noah's phone. Our sleep schedule had been adjusted since arriving in Spain, causing this unexpected phone call to catch us off guard."Darn it, I should have turned off my phone last night," Noah grumbled into his pillow. "Who in the world could be calling at this hour?""Please answer the darn phone so I can get some more sleep!" I replied drowsily, feeling increasingly annoyed by the incessant ringing that w