Dominic sat across from Solo, his face stoic. Like a mask still and unmoving, his eyes were cold and distant. The silence between them—thick. All Solo could hear was the ticking of the wall clock. He spoke, his voice devoid of any warmth."Solo, what we have between us stops today. She's back."His words cut through the silence in the room like a knife through butter, sharp, deliberate. Solo's breath hitched, but she didn't let it show.She'd been preparing for this moment. Still, the blow landed harder than she expected. Sapphire. The girl who Dominic loved had left him three years ago, cheating on him and abandoning the relationship they had built. Now, she was back.Despite the storm raging within, Solo swallowed, and her expression remained neutral. Dominic, the man who had been everything to her, sat across from her like a stranger."Okay," Solo said, her voice quiet but steady. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her break. Not here. Not now.Dominic didn't flinch.
Solo stood outside Dominic’s apartment, the keys he had given her feeling heavy in her hand. The morning sun fought through the clouds, casting a pale light over the city. She paused, her heart pounding. She had spent three years in that apartment, but now, it felt foreign, devoid of shape and familiarity.Her time here was over. The place wasn’t hers anymore. It never was.She sighed.With a steady breath, she unlocked the door and stepped inside. She walked through the apartment, her eyes scanning every room. Memories flooded her mind with each step and object she saw.The familiar scent of Dominic’s cologne lingered in the air. Once comforting, the faint scent now wrapped around her as if dragging her into the past.She closed her eyes, letting herself remember—the quiet moments shared when they would sit in silence after dining together, the evenings when he would work late into the night, his sharp voice cutting through the stillness with quick phone commands.He had always been
Solo sat in the sterile office, her hands resting at her side. The hum of the ultrasound machine filled the room, the rhythmic beeping of her heartbeat blending with the two tiny lives growing inside her.She stared at the screen, watching the outlines of her twins swimming around like two little coffee beans—a bittersweet smile playing at the corners of her mouth.“You’re carrying two healthy babies.” The doctor's voice was kind but clinical. “Everything looks good.”Solo nodded, her mind wandering. Healthy babies. That was all that mattered. She’d decided not to tell Dominic weeks ago when she first discovered her pregnancy and had wondered how she could break their deal.Dominic must never know about her children. He had made it clear that Sapphire was all he needed. There was no place for Solo or the children in his life, not to mention his cold and distant family. In her opinion, the Hale family was not fit to raise a pet, let alone a child.Their outlook on life was pretty despi
Solo sat across from Charles Bellamy, her mentor, the man who had helped launch her career in the jewelry design business years ago. They were engulfed in the buzz of the upscale café, filled with the soft clinks of glasses, cups, dishes, and murmured conversations. Solo’s mind, however, was focused on the opportunity Charles presented.“The event is two weeks away,” he said, tapping the side of his coffee cup. “You’ll be presenting under your new name—Solaire—I expect it to make quite the impact.”She nodded, trying to suppress the wave of anxiety that washed over her. It had been so long since she had immersed herself in the jewelry world. Now, she was returning with a new identity, more at stake than before. Her career had to take off—not just for herself, but for her children’s future.She closed her eyes, steadying her nerves, then snapped and opened them. “I’m ready,” she said, though the words felt heavier than anticipated.Charles smiled, his eyes filled with pride. “Good. I h
Solo sat at her workbench, surrounded by the soft melodies from her radio as she worked in her small studio. Her studio was a hall closet under the stairs of the old converted two-story house she was staying in. The stairs led to the upstairs apartment. The sketches and unfinished jewelry pieces Solo had scattered before her were more than designs—they were symbols of the future she was crafting. Charles, her mentor, told her the upcoming event was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-establish herself in the jewelry world under her new identity, ‘Solaire.’ She ran her fingers over a bracelet she was working on. Her mind focused on the intricate details, and she became excited and anxious about the event as the time drew near. It wasn’t just about her career—it was about proving to herself she could build a life without relying on Dominic or the world she had left behind. Toward the end of their relationship, she had noticed that she had become too comfortable with having things
Solo sat at her workbench, the rhythmic sound of the radio in the background and her tools echoing in the small workspace. The afternoon's soft light streamed through the window, illuminating the delicate jewelry pieces scattered on the dining table behind her.She had been working nonstop on her designs for the upcoming event. Each piece reflected her determination to reclaim her life and career under her new identity, Solaire.Solaire’s creations differed from Solo’s original style. Early designs whispered elegance and were understated yet powerful in their simplicity, capturing the essence of balance and restraint.Her creations have taken on a new energy—bold, daring, and full of life. It's as if each piece tells a story of rediscovery. The past's refined lines have given way to striking contrasts and vibrant textures.Though Solaire’s designs were more daring, they still carried the quiet strength of her beginnings but now reflected a sense of freedom, like an artist unafraid to
Solo’s fingers worked over the delicate necklace she was crafting, the tiny gemstones catching the light as she set them into place. The design was intricate, one of her finest yet, and almost complete. She sat back, admiring the piece as quiet satisfaction settled over her.The jewelry event was just around the corner, and her preparations were almost done. Each design she created for the event felt like a step toward reclaiming herself and building a new life for her and her child. Yet, as much as she tried to focus on her work, the weight of her secret pressed on her.Her mentor, Charles, had been the most significant support during this time, helping her navigate the world of high-end jewelry under her new identity. But even he didn’t know the whole truth—about the pregnancy and the life she had left behind.The sound of a knock at the door pulled Solo from her thoughts, and she stood to greet Charles, who entered the studio with a bright smile.“How’s it going, Solaire?” he asked
Sensing the strain between Dominic and Sapphire, his mother surprised them with a weekend away at a luxury resort, explaining it would be an opportunity for them to reconnect. Fraught with guilt about his emotions and recent behavior, Dominic accepted.The resort was picture-perfect, the kind of place where everything was designed to invoke peace and relaxation.Sapphire smiled as they stepped out of the car, the cool ocean breeze brushing against her face. She followed Dominic, strolling to the railing of the Cliff Hotel, overlooking the ocean as the waves rolled in, the sun casting a golden glow over the horizon. Beside him, Sapphire leaned on the railing contented.“This is perfect, isn’t it?” she said, glancing up at him.Dominic nodded. His acknowledgment was mechanical.Nothing about this trip felt perfect. The disconnect between him and Sapphire grew like an invisible wall separating them. No matter how beautiful the surroundings, he couldn’t shake the blankness that settled in
Charles stood in the hospital corridor, the faint cries of a baby spilling through the crack of Aralise’s door. He frowned, his concern deepening with each wail. The sound tugged at his chest, pity and unease bubbling to the surface.Knocking, he called out, “Aralise? Is everything okay?”No response came. He pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was still except for the baby’s escalating cries. Aralise was perched on the bed, her legs crossed, scrolling through her phone as if nothing were amiss. On the bedside table sat a baby bottle, untouched and waiting.“Aralise?” Charles said, his voice sharp with disbelief. He crossed the room in two long strides and bent over the bassinet, scooping up the baby. The infant’s red face crumpled as her tiny fists flailed, her distress filling the room. “How long has she been crying? Didn’t you hear her?”Aralise looked at him with a lazy and disinterested expression. “Oh, I was just about to pick her up. You got to her first.”Charles
The door opened, and a nurse wheeled Kirael into the room. She cradled her newborn daughter, gazing at her with motherly warmth. Her face glowed despite the exhaustion etched onto it. Her hair was pulled back into a loose braid, and her eyes sparkled when they landed on Solo.“Solo,” Kirael said with a tired but warm smile. “Look at you,” glancing at the two babies wrapped in blue blankets in the cribs beside Solo’s bed, their little faces poking out. “Two boys. They’re gorgeous.”Solo smiled through the weariness—her expression mirrored Kirael’s. “And your little girl, she’s stunning.”“She is,” Kirael said in agreement, gazing down at the pink baby bundle swaddled in her arms. “My parents have already gone into overdrive. They sent someone to help me...” She raised her head and motioned it to indicate the woman behind her—pushing the wheelchair, “along with…” She nodded toward the doorway, where two tall men in dark suits stood guard, their faces impassive. “They sent bodyguards, to
Charles flew through the hospital corridors, his footsteps echoing on the polished floors. His heart pounded in his chest, and the immediacy of the situation was sharp in his mind.He hadn’t even stopped to drop his luggage at home, instead heading straight to the hospital after the call from one of the nurses. Solo had gone into labor, and all he could think of was being there for her.He paused outside her door, running a hand through his messy hair. His reflection in the glass of a nearby cabinet revealed the toll of sleepless nights and long flights, but that didn’t matter. All that mattered was her.Gathering his composure, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The soft sound of rustling blankets greeted him, along with the faint cry of a newborn settling into sleep. The sight before him stilled his breath.Solo lay propped up in bed, her face pale but serene, her hair framing her tired yet glowing features. Beside her, one of her twins rested in a bassinet, his tiny hand c
The soft, sterile hum of the hospital room felt suffocating. Aralise lay in the center of the made bed, her head propped up by stiff, firm pillows. An overhead light illuminated the room, casting shadows that danced along the edges of the walls. She glanced toward the crib beside her, where the baby slept, her delicate features visible under the pink blanket.Aralise’s fingers tapped on the hospital sheet as she tried to compose her expression. She didn’t dare look at the baby too long. The longer she stared, the more a strange discomfort grew within her—as if her body rejected the child, as though the entire situation threatened to unravel.The sound of approaching heels snapped her out of her thoughts. The door swung open to reveal the midwife, her sharp, calculating eyes scanning the room. She carried a clipboard under one arm and a handbag hanging from her shoulder.Her movements were brisk, purposeful, and unyielding, like someone accustomed to cleaning up messes.“Well, Miss Wat
The café hummed with life, its cozy atmosphere warmed by the afternoon sun as they sat outside and more people arrived. Solo pushed a piece of lettuce around her plate, lost in thought, while Kirael sipped her soup and stole curious glances at Aralise, who consumed a salmon dish with gusto and sipped her double espresso unphased.“So,” Aralise said, setting down her coffee cup. “What’s the news with your twins, Solo? Any updates?”Solo glanced at her, smiling. “The doctor said they’re doing great, but they’re planning to induce me after my next checkup. They don’t want me going too far past six weeks because you know—twins.”Aralise’s eyebrows rose in mock surprise. “Oh, that’s sooner than I thought! How exciting. My baby’s due around that time too. What about you, Kirael?”Kirael's fruit cocktail juice in hand froze mid-sip, her glass hovering in the air. Her eyes flicked to Solo, then back to Aralise, a flicker of suspicion flashing across her face.“Really? My baby’s also due then.
Solo shifted on the examination table, the crinkling paper beneath her amplifying her discomfort. The clinic room was sterile, the faint hum of medical equipment filling the air. Across from her, having finished her prenatal examinations, Kirael sat in a plastic chair, thumbing through a magazine. Her brows furrowed, but her mind seemed elsewhere.“I wish they’d just get this over with,” Solo muttered, one hand protectively cradling her rounded belly.Kirael looked up, offering a small smile. “Relax, these things always take forever. It’s routine. You and the twins are fine.”Before Solo could respond, the door swung open, revealing a young trainee. Her movements were awkward, and the nervous energy of someone new to the job was evident in how she adjusted her stethoscope.“Miss Dale,” the trainee greeted with a polite smile. “We’ll be listening to the babies’ heartbeats today.”Solo nodded, reclining as the trainee prepared the Doppler. The steady thump of the first heartbeat filled
The afternoon sun filtered through Aralise’s small apartment, casting a warm glow over the furniture. Her baby bump lay discarded on the sofa. As she paced the room, her frustration bubbled beneath the surface. She glanced at her phone, waiting for it to ring.The silence in the apartment was oppressive, amplifying the sound of her restless movements. She paused by the window, staring at the bustling street below. Families strolled together, their laughter drifting upward like a cruel reminder of the distance between her and her goal. The world—oblivious to the tangled web of lies she was spinning.She sighed, ran a hand through her hair, and then tapped her nails against the window frame, her impatience growing with each passing second.Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, the screen lighting up with a familiar name.“Mother,” she said, snatching up the phone and answering. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to call.”Her mother’s voice came through, smooth and calm. “Darli
Dominic paced the living room of the Hale estate. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he marched back and forth. His jaw clenched tight, and his keen and sharp gaze was clouded with frustration.“You called her, didn’t you?” he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a whip. His posture screamed God alone knows what I would do to you if you weren't my mother?Seeming unphased sitting on the plush sofa, Isabella raised an eyebrow and sipped her tea with feigned calm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, though the slight upward tilt of her chin betrayed her guilt.“Don’t lie to me, Mom.” Dominic stopped pacing and faced her, his voice growing louder. “You’re the only person who would have done this. Do you want me to believe Sapphire just happened to show up at the house right after I told you what happened? Please, don’t insult my intelligence.”Isabella set her cup down with deliberate precision. “Dominic, you’re overreacting. Sapphire needed a chanc
After the call ended, Sapphire stared at the screen, her mind racing with frustration and disbelief. Her nails tapped against the coffee table in sharp, erratic rhythms. Her lips curled into a humorless smile, anger bubbling beneath the surface. She tossed her phone onto the couch, a sharp huff escaping her lips. "That stupid old hag." The thought struck her with venom as she leaned back on the sofa and drummed her nails on the armrest. Does she even know her son? If she did, she'd know that just showing up at the house wouldn't fix anything—her plan was doomed to backfire. Dominic doesn’t cave under pressure—he digs in deeper. Her stupid suggestion would only make things worse.Sapphire sighed, stood, and began pacing the room. Her frustration simmered, fueling the calculations running through her mind. She couldn’t let this slip through her fingers. Dominic was the key to everything she’d worked for—everything that defined her ambitions rested on keeping him within her grasp. Yes,