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Sarah “Are you sure you’re going out?” Philip asked, taking the pair of diamond earrings from my hand. With careful precision, he fastened them to my ears. I had taken only one day off to recover from the exhaustion of Madam Cornell's abduction of Jane. The memory of those tense hours still sent a chill down my spine. “I don’t want to just stay here in Serenity Pines," I replied, meeting Philip's worried gaze in the mirror. “I need to prove to my grandfather that I can handle what they left me.” As I spoke, I unconsciously placed a hand on my slightly swollen abdomen, a reminder of the new life growing within me. After securing the earrings, Philip leaned in, placing a tender kiss on the curve of my shoulder. I felt him inhale deeply, savoring my scent. "That's precisely why I feel the need to push myself even harder," he murmured against my skin. “How’s your family? What do they say about your pregnancy?” “I know I disappointed Grandpa Mitchell. He didn’t expect me to get
Sarah Emily was busy with her daughter, so I had no choice but to attend some gatherings that required my presence; they were important events for keeping my social and business connections strong. Philip returned to the Luminary Production's office to handle pressing issues, and everything seems to be going well, except for Jane, who is still on vacation. As I was leaving Serenity Pines, I chose Josh to accompany me to the Elite Annual Business Gala. I hadn't spoken to him for quite some time because Philip had been keeping an eye on me at the villa. The truth is, Josh and I have nothing to hide, but I feel like a wife keeping a secret with her lover. Josh's life is complicated, and it's not my place to disclose his background to everyone. "I heard that Jane is still in recovery," Josh started, his eyes fixed on the winding road ahead, hands steady on the steering wheel, driving me to a hotel in a nearby town. "Yeah… she enrolled in therapy and counseling. I hope everything work
Sarah As the mother and daughter vanished from the reporters' sight, they turned their attention to me, coming closer with a blend of surprise and barely concealed hostility. "Mr. Martin!" Lila's eyes held admiration as she recognized my ex-fiancé standing beside me. I arched an eyebrow, seeing her reddened cheeks. "What are you doing here?" Margarette, my dad's new wife, asked with a hint of panic in her voice, glancing at Bronn. Bronn's presence at the gathering wasn't surprising given his reputation. What really surprised them was my unexpected appearance beside him. I allowed a smirk to play on my lips. "Surprised to see the real Sarah Benner in this gathering?" Lila's anger twisted her face, her composed façade crumbling. "Ha! You're just being funny! It's your fault for hiding away! You should be thanking me for keeping your name relevant!" This woman is beyond being ridiculous. I could easily dismiss them as being brainless. I ignored Lila's outburst, focusing my attenti
Sarah Exasperated with Philip, I asked him to leave the room. Once alone, I tried to calm myself, still frustrated by his behavior. That annoying and utter jerk! Tss! Exhaustion took over, replacing my anger. I quickly cleaned up and took a brief bath. Finally, I collapsed onto the bed, letting sleep take over and wash away the night's turmoil. Sunlight filtered through the curtains as I stirred the next morning. Reading my unread messages, I found messages from Amir and, unexpectedly, my father—the illustrious Chairman Benner. As I made my way downstairs, I chose to address Amir's message first. Amir: Margarette might have questioned why you're not flaunting your social status. After living in Benner’s mansion for years, people might even mistake Lila for Dad’s daughter. They had the nerve to use your name! I replied: I'm not afraid of them. In fact, I plan to let them enjoy using my name for now. Let them feel the overwhelming attention of the public and influential figures,
Sarah Earnestly staring at the man I had been considered a father for several years, he sat on the couch, meeting my gaze without emotion. "Is it true that you insulted Lila and Margarette last night? Your name—Sarah Benner—is plastered across every social media platform and gossip blog in the country because of your little outburst." Dad paused, then looked at his assistant, who continued. "Miss, this social blog claims you bullied Sarah Benner, who was actually Miss Lila pretending to be you. Of course, no one knew you were the real Sarah Benner, but people say Benner managed to let it go." Of course, why would someone let slap Sarah Benner? But why does it seem like it's my fault? "You are tarnishing your own name! No, my name! How am I supposed to explain to people that there's nothing to worry about?" I understood what my father was getting at. "They're using my identity!" I interjected, my voice rising with each word. "She's parading around as Sarah Benner!" Philip's and
Sarah [A week after my conversation with Dad.] Philip had asked me to limit my outings outside Serenity Pines Estate, citing concerns for my safety and well-being. I agreed to his suggestion, understanding his protective instincts, but I had some important business engagements to attend too. Fortunately, my pregnancy wasn't showing yet, allowing me to seamlessly manage the big event for LoveLogic. Emily and I sat at the very edge of the large event hall, where the event was broadcast live on our social media platform, which the BM Technologies marketing team still manages. "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to meet our newest VIP character!" the charismatic host announces, her voice echoing through the hall. "We proudly introduce... Bronn!" The main screen lights up, revealing an animated non-player character clearly inspired by Bronn Martin, the young head chief of BM Technologies. The host, smiling excitedly, started listing Bronn's features. "And the best part? When you upda
Emily To ensure her safety, Willow had to be brought back to the hospital so Dr. Vanderbilt could recheck her a week after she developed an allergy. Dr. Ethan Vanderbilt appeared in the hallway, prompting me to realize that my small bag had been left in his father's clinic. Requesting his assistance, I asked if Willow could stay with him since the clinic was in the neighboring building and I needed to go up to the third floor. Upon returning, my smile faded as I saw Dr. Ethan talking to none other than Bronn Martin at the end of the hallway. Shit! I gasped and quickly walked toward them. Casually greeting Ethan, I deliberately ignored Bronn's intense stare. "Thank you, Ethan!" I smiled at him. I was grateful that he and Willow got along well. We've met several times at Sarah and Philip Cornell's large villa in Serenity Pines Estates, and he's been kind to my daughter since her allergy. "You mentioned heading to Serenity Pines after this, right?" Ethan asked. "Why don't I take y
Sarah Due to the growing team and the need for more space, an office was rented near Luminary Production's building. With my team expanding, this move was essential. Along with Emily, Amir provided me with two more assistants: Sophia, a sharp-witted woman in her early thirties with a background in marketing, and Mike, a finance expert around my age. None of my staff knows that I'm pregnant. I'd managed to keep it a secret within the people in Serenity Pines, even from Emily. After discussing some business matters, I decided to ask Emily about her relationship with Bronn. "I have a meeting with Bronn this afternoon to discuss some details about the LoveLogic app," I informed Emily as she sipped her coffee while I nursed a glass of calcium-rich milk, a new addition to my routine. Mentioning Bronn, I noticed a look of sadness in Emily's eyes. "Did something happen between the two of you?" I asked curiously. "I saw Mr. Martin at the hospital when I took Willow for a check-up. He
Jane "Jane!" Brody's voice echoed through the hallway, making me freeze. Oh no! He was really here. My heart raced as I approached the door and peeked through the peephole. Brody was on the other side, his broad shoulders filling the frame. His usual neat look was a bit messy—his necktie was crooked, his top button undone, and a hint of stubble darkened his jaw. Should I open the door? "I know you're there, Jane," he said, his voice low and steady. Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned the lock. The click felt loud in the quiet. When the door opened, our eyes met, and the months apart vanished instantly. Brody's eyes scanned my face, lingering on my swollen eyes that showed I'd been crying. I saw a mix of emotions pass over his face: concern, guilt, and something more intense. Without a word, he stepped inside. The scent of his cologne enveloped me as he pushed the heavy oak door closed with his foot. Before I could gather my thoughts, his hands cupped my face, thumbs gentl
Jane When did I genuinely start falling for him so deeply? It was that night four years ago, during a crisp autumn in London. Brody was abroad on a business trip. I was overworked and sick at the time. I had just returned from Paris, feeling dizzy as I stepped into our penthouse in Mayfair. I sneezed as I texted him. Me: 'Just got back from a business trip. What do you want for dinner?' Almost instantly, Brody replied: 'I'm on a business trip in New York. You didn't tell me you were coming back today.' I had wanted to surprise him, so I kept my return a secret. But he hadn't mentioned his trip to me either. Me: 'Alright! Take care!' My nose, already raw and red from constant sneezing, throbbed as I hit send. I dragged myself to the ensuite bathroom, leaving a trail of discarded clothes behind me. The hot shower offered momentary relief, but the room began to spin uncontrollably as I stepped out, wrapped in Brody's oversized bathrobe. I collapsed onto our king-sized bed. The e
Jane Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Philip and Sarah's fairy-tale wedding. We were in Dubai, at Grandpa Mitchell's mansion, surrounded by a small circle of close friends and family, all gathered to witness the couple's intimate vows. Yet, as they exchanged their promises of love, a deep sense of incompleteness washed over me. Perhaps there's truth in the saying that when life becomes a cycle of repetition—office, work, the Cornell mansion, and back again—you start to feel like something important is missing. After the ceremony, I embraced Sarah tightly, tears threatening to spill. "Congratulations, love!" The celebration continued, but my thoughts were elsewhere. I knew I needed to return to London to calm my churning emotions. "Auntie Jane, are you alright?" Iris asked, her voice full of concern as she sat beside me at the round table with Rowan by her side. I plastered on a smile, hoping it looked genuine. "Yes, sweetheart. Why do you ask?" "You look sad." I manage
Sarah My father, Mr. Benner, contacted me again. After years of estrangement, I decided it was time to meet him and finally confront our tumultuous past. Accompanied by Trey, I arrived at the hotel suite where he was staying. His assistant, a woman in her thirties, greeted us at the door with a smile. "Good afternoon, Ms. Mitchell!" she said warmly. "Hello," I managed. "Please, come in," she said, stepping aside to let me enter. I walked across the plush carpet until I saw Mr. Benner. My father, once a towering figure of authority, now sat in a wheelchair. His once jet-black hair had faded to steel gray, and deep lines etched his face. It had been a long time since he had disowned me. "I'm so happy to see you, Sarah," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "You've lost so much weight, my dear…" 'My dear…' I approached him, extending a carefully wrapped package. "I brought you something," I said, "Three first editions by Haruki Murakami. Your favorite." He smiled appreci
Sarah Philip gently removed my simple white dress, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and concern as he took in my changed appearance. "W-why are you doing this? Philip, I just came out of a coma. I'm not ready for anything... physical." I said honestly. After nearly two years of medical interventions, my body was still fragile, and I had only been recovering for a month. His gaze softened immediately. "Oh, Sarah, no. That's not why… I'm not trying to take advantage of you. It's just that…" He examined my skin and my arm, which had thinned considerably. I felt a bit uncomfortable with what he was doing. "You've lost so much weight." A flicker of insecurity flashed through me. I pouted and squinted at him. "What do you mean by that? Do you find me unattractive?" "No, no. No, babe!" he vehemently denied. "That's not what I meant. It's just…" It took a while before Philip continued. "I vividly remember the day Marcus shot you. Your last appearance is etched in my mind. I
Philip I'm here at Serenity Pines Estate, seeking a bit of solitude before midnight passes. Despite weeks of working nonstop, Sarah's presence lingered everywhere. Her hold on my heart hasn't faded with time or distance. As soon as I stepped through the door, it felt like I could see a younger Sarah sitting on the couch, waiting for me. In my mind's eye, she stood, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Have you eaten?" Reality hit hard as my fist clenched. These were just memories, as delicate as spun glass. I walked to the kitchen, where the marble countertops glowed in the moonlight. My hands shook as I reached for the crystal decanter, pouring a generous amount of aged scotch. The amber liquid shimmered, offering a brief escape from my thoughts. I bought Serenity Pines on the second night Sarah and I were married, ensuring it had top-notch security. Sarah might not have noticed, but every part of this home was a tribute to her—from the soft cream bedroom walls to the handcrafted boo
Sarah When asked about my first destination, I pointed towards the school, my heart racing with anticipation. I love Philip deeply, and today is his birthday, but nothing could surpass the joy of reuniting with my children. The school bell rang, and a flood of children poured out of the ornate iron gates. The twins emerged from the gate precisely as planned, followed closely by Josh, who ensured their safety. At first, they didn't recognize me. I felt like a stranger in my own skin, having lost nearly fifty pounds since we last met. Their confused looks tugged at my heart, but I understood. I always will. Iris clutched her beloved rabbit doll, and Rowan had their lunchbox. Tears began to well up in my eyes, but I wiped them away to see the twins more clearly. There was a noticeable difference in how they've changed. They're taller now. Rowan wears glasses, and Iris's skin has lightened. My beautiful, growing children... "Kids, your mom…" I read Josh's lips. His eyes widened
Sarah It felt like drifting through an endless dream, each moment stretching into eternity. After my firstborn's death, grief enveloped me like a suffocating shroud. I retreated, closing my heart and mind to the outside world. Joy became a foreign concept, a distant memory I could no longer grasp. Nothing could penetrate the fog of my sorrow because deep down, I knew I was fundamentally broken—I was not okay. Just like then, my mind feels closed off, wrapped in a thick layer of ice. Driving aimlessly, stopping several times to watch the setting sun. I'm heading into darkness, but whenever I hear my children's voices... Philip... these beloved sounds tug at me, urging me to turn back towards the fading light. But why did I also hear my mother's voice? I resume my journey. The world around me has been leached of color as if a cosmic artist has erased all pigment from the canvas of reality. I'm traveling through an endless road surrounded by empty deserts. The monotony should be
Philip A week passed, then two, then three… Ethan eventually had to ask me to leave, as some patients needed the hospital's facilities more. "I can visit you at Serenity Pines, or even drop by Luminary Productions if you need someone to clean your wounds," Ethan offered. I remained silent. I wanted to stay at the hospital because Sarah was here. Fear gnawed at my chest, making sleep impossible. I was paralyzed by the terror of receiving the devastating news that my wife had passed away, that her body had finally given out, or any other heart-wrenching update while she was out of my reach. As much as I wanted to stay by Sarah's side, I couldn't longer ignore our children's needs. Iris and Rowan needed stability and a bit of normalcy. The hospital, with its sick patients and germs, wasn't a good place for a four-year-old to stay. Rowan's small voice interrupted my thoughts while I changed into a clean t-shirt in my ward, trying to gather the energy to face another day. "Uncle Eth