Thank you so much, everyone!
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
Bronn Emily and I were tense as the car made its way to her apartment. My chest churned with anticipation and resentment. Sarah's words from earlier echoed in my mind, reminding me that I had no right to question Emily's decisions. Given our complicated past, doing so would be selfish and hypocritical. When the car stopped in front of an apartment, I gave Robert an order. "Please leave me and Emily alone," I said firmly. "Certainly, Mr. Martin," Robert replied with a nod, his professional demeanor unwavering as he smoothly exited the vehicle, leaving Emily and me alone in the suddenly claustrophobic backseat. Emily's voice, tinged with nervousness, broke the silence. "What are your plans, Mr. Martin?" I inhaled deeply, the scent of her familiar perfume—a delicate mix of jasmine and vanilla—momentarily distracting me. "I just want to understand why you got pregnant," I began. "When we met at the hospital, why did you let me believe you and Ethan were together?" Emily's fist clen
Sarah For several months now, I've been residing at Serenity Pines Estate. Standing before the full-length mirror inside the wardrobe, I observe my growing belly. At 24 weeks pregnant, my belly is a prominent dome, growing more pronounced daily. I noticed Philip leaning casually against the door, a soft smile playing on his lips, making me feel cherished. "So sexy!" he exclaimed. I can't help but pout, my insecurities bubbling to the surface. "You don't find me ugly?" I asked curiously. "Not at all," he assured me, crossing the room with long strides. His strong arms encircled me from behind, placing a tender kiss on my temple. "You are more beautiful than ever," he muttered. His words tickled my heart, spreading warmth through my chest. But there's a playful glint in his eye as he added, "What if I did find you unattractive?" "Nothing… I've experienced worse. It's nothing if you find me unattractive." The thought hurt, bringing back memories of past rejections and insecurities
Sarah "What happened?" I asked Alex. My heart pounded in my chest, and I tasted the salt of my tears as they streamed down my face. Alex placed a comforting hand on my shoulder before continuing, sending a shock through my very core. "Madam Cornell," he began, his voice low and somber, "she... she took her own life in prison this afternoon." A gasp escaped my lips as my hand flew to my mouth. My mind went blank. "W-what?" I stammered, my mouth agape. "That's why, Madam Sarah… Please… the Boss needs you now more than ever." A thousand questions raced through my mind for Alex, many things to say, but I chose to keep them to myself. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I steeled myself and entered the imposing building. Inside, I found Philip. In his hand was a crystal tumbler, half-filled with his favorite 30-year-old scotch. The amber liquid cast a warm glow, starkly contrasting the cold tension that filled the room. "Philip, I was also shocked that Josh did that to me. Please, you hav
Philip The streetlights blurred as I stared out the car window, my mind a whirlwind of emotions on the way back to Serenity Pines. I had just come from the police station, where I met my father, who had a grim look throughout the process. My mother died in prison. The news of my mother's suicide in prison hit me like a physical blow. Even though she had become a bad person, Madam Cornell was still my mother. It pained me to think she had managed to hurt Sarah. Dad had taken on the grim responsibility of identifying and claiming Mom's body. My mind was in chaos as the car approached Serenity Pines. It must have been around one in the morning, and Sarah was probably curled on the bed. I checked my phone and saw a message from her, which had been sent hours ago. Sarah: Is everything alright, Philip? My throat tightened. No, nothing was alright. I decided to tell Sarah the truth in person, so I didn't respond to her message. Besides, she was likely asleep by now. I got out of the
Philip Ethan's brow furrowed as he contemplated our conversation. After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice laced with confusion. "But I always thought you had already met Mariano." "That's what I thought, too, Ethan. But now, I'm not so sure. I'm Luminary Productions' President, and the man I've always met is probably an actor hired by the real Mariano. Everyone thinks I've met the real him, but I'm starting to doubt if that person was real either." An image of Mariano flashed in my mind—a distinguished man in a business suit, always with a cigar between his fingers. The scent of expensive tobacco seemed to linger in my memory. I'm genuinely confused, or perhaps the real Mariano has been manipulating my understanding. "Now that I think about what you said, you met Mariano during your first marriage with Sarah. There's a possibility he was keeping a close eye on you because of Sarah," Ethan commented. I nodded slowly, pieces starting to fall into place. "And Madam Olsen, I
Philip The battle between Josh and me will take place in the middle of the sea, two kilometers from the island's shore. It's called a Viper Turf War. The battleground is an engineering marvel—a square platform made of thick hydro foam, built to float and move with the ocean's waves. It's anchored to the seabed and operated by a high-tech remote system, but its real challenge comes from the relentless strength of the waves. Crates line the sides, containing either weapons or nothing at all. I know Mariano is sick! And the money he'd earn from this battle is no small amount. Maybe it’s foolish, or maybe I’m just determined, but I’ll do this to escape this mess, just like Josh! It’s just a bonus that I want to hurt him for the stolen kiss he gave my wife. Now, I'm even more suspicious that Mariano is doing this because of Sarah. That man wants to see me dead! The time is thirty minutes to seven in the evening. Besides the waves, the approaching darkness would make an already dangero
Philip Josh saw an opening and swung his legs upward, crossing them over my neck in a desperate attempt to break free. Suddenly, the ten-minute signal blared—it was time to find the hidden knife. My fists were already bloody, but I had to act quickly. With a powerful thrust of his legs, Josh flipped me over, and we tumbled across the foam surface. The battleground shifted violently as a massive wave surged over us, knocking us both down. After ten minutes of relentless struggle, my internal organs screamed in pain. "Fuck you, Philip! Fuck you for hurting Sarah!" Josh shouted, pounding my body with brutal force. His words cut deep, but I had to stay focused. I knew my wrongdoings, but my wife had already forgiven me. “Your words don’t matter anymore! You’re just a pathetic fool trying to take what’s mine!” Josh crawled towards a crate on the side, struggling to open it while lying downward. Empty! I seized the opportunity and kicked his back repeatedly in desperation. He rolled a
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