FAITHI walked into the dining room, the soft murmur of voices instantly drawing my attention. The table was grand and stretched far, with elegant place settings and an array of delicious-smelling dishes. My stomach churned, not from hunger, but from the nervousness bubbling inside me.As I stepped further into the room, I noticed faces I hadn’t seen before. Blaze, who had been seated at the head of the table, noticed me immediately. A warm, reassuring smile spread across his face as he rose from his chair and walked toward me. My heart, already unsteady from anxiety, skipped a beat.“Hey, Faith,” Blaze said softly, his voice carrying a hint of warmth that calmed my frayed nerves. He reached for my hand, his touch firm yet gentle. “Come, let me introduce you to everyone.”I nodded, gripping his hand like a lifeline as he led me to the table. All eyes turned toward us, and I felt a rush of heat rise to my cheeks. Blaze’s presence beside me, though reassuring, didn’t entirely erase th
FAITHI blinked at Blaze, caught off guard by the mix of humor and sincerity in his tone.He continued, his voice gentle but firm. “Therefore, you don’t have to stay put and listen to everything my mom says. She can be a bit… overbearing sometimes. But, while I have to bear with her because I am her son, you have no such obligation. You are free to live as you want for these nine months.”I tilted my head, studying him for a moment before speaking. “Why are you so nice to me?” I asked, my voice softer than I intended. “I ghosted you for a month after we… you know, after I…” I trailed off, the memory of that night still an awkward weight between us.Blaze shrugged, a fain
FAITHKristin’s sharp poke to my side jolted me out of my daze. “Hey,” she said grumpily, her voice low but laced with irritation. “What’s with the deer-in-headlights look? You know those people or something?”I blinked rapidly, trying to regain my composure. “No,” I lied, my voice shaky. “I just… zoned out.”Kristin’s eyes narrowed as she studied me, clearly unconvinced. “Yeah, sure,” she muttered before grabbing my wrist. “Come on. Let’s go before you turn into a statue right here in the middle of the store.”She didn’t wait for my response, tugging me away from the display window and deeper into the boutique. My feet moved automatically, but my mind stayed firmly rooted outside, where Reagan and Austin stood.Seeing them together after a month felt like a punch to the gut. I’d convinced myself I was over it—or at least on my way to being over it—but clearly, I’d been lying to myself.The sight of Reagan laughing with Austin, her hand casually brushing his arm, brought back a flood
FAITHThe question hit me like a bolt, and I instinctively looked away. “What? No, of course not,” I said quickly, hoping my voice sounded more convincing than it felt.Blaze stepped closer, his gaze unwavering as he reached out and cupped my face with one hand. The warmth of his touch startled me, and my breath caught as his thumb brushed the corner of my eye.“No,” he said softly but firmly, his eyes narrowing. “Your eyes are swollen. You definitely cried.”My throat tightened, and I tried to pull back, but his hand remained steady. His gaze hardened, calm but laced with anger. “Who made you cry?”I shook my head, opening my mouth to
FAITHBefore I could even register what was happening, Blaze’s arm shot out, steadying me against the seat. His grip was firm, protective, and his other hand tightened on the steering wheel as he muttered a string of curses under his breath.“Are you okay?” he asked sharply, his voice cutting through the ringing in my ears.I nodded quickly, though my heart was pounding so loudly it drowned out my words.Blaze didn’t wait for a response. He rolled down the window, leaning halfway out as he glared at the car in front of us.“Hey! Watch where the hell you are going!” he barked, his voice sharp enough to make me wince.
FAITHI was sprawled across the bed, surrounded by a fortress of thick books, my frustration mounting with every page. Jessica’s voice echoed in my head—“I want you to finish reading them all!”—and I groaned, burying my face in my hands.The door knocked softly, snapping me out of my misery. “Come in,” I mumbled, flipping a page halfheartedly.Blaze stepped in, looking effortlessly put together in a crisp white shirt and tailored pants. He raised an eyebrow when he saw me buried under the books. “Are you ready for your appointment?”I looked up, confused and annoyed. “What appointment?”Blaze crossed his arms, glancing at the books piled around me. “Uh, your doctor’s appointment?” he said slowly, as if I’d forgotten something obvious. “The one I told you about this morning?”I groaned dramatically, rolling onto my back and flailing my arms. “Ugh. Fine. I will go. I just need to throw a tantrum first.”Blaze chuckled, his laugh warm and amused. “Alright,” he said with a grin. “Have you
Chapter 23: That Painful?FAITHAs we pulled up to the doctor’s office, Hillary’s car stopped behind ours. She stepped out, her expression impassive as she adjusted her coat and walked toward us. Blaze’s grip on my hand tightened slightly as we headed inside.When we reached the reception desk, Blaze turned to Hillary, his tone clipped. “Wait here. We will handle this on our own.”Hillary raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint, sarcastic smile. “Whatever you say, Blaze,” she replied coolly, stepping back.Without another glance in her direction, Blaze led me into the clinic, his hand still steady on mine. The interior was warm and welcoming, nothing like the sterile environment I’d expected. We were greeted by a nurse who guided us to Dr. Clarissa’s cabin.Dr. Clarissa stood as we entered, her kind smile immediately putting me at ease. She was in her early 40s, with neatly styled hair and an air of calm professionalism.“Faith,” she said warmly, extending a hand. “It’s lov
FAITHSleep evaded me that night. No matter how many times I rolled over or adjusted the pillows, my mind wouldn’t quiet. Hillary’s words kept replaying, her cold voice and the unsettling weight of what she’d said: “Don’t get too attached to the child in your womb. It’s not yours, after all.”I tossed the blanket off with a frustrated sigh and decided to head to the kitchen for some warm milk.Maybe that would help. As I padded down the hallway, the faint glow of light spilling out from under Blaze’s study door caught my eye.Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked inside. There he was, seated at his desk, his shirt sleeves rol
FAITH“Yeah,” I murmured, the sight stealing my breath. “It feels like we’re driving straight into a painting.”Blaze smiled, and his tone turned mischievous again. “See? Aren’t you glad I insisted on the drive? I knew my idea was better than touching grass.”I laughed, the sound mixing with the wind as it tousled my hair. “Okay, fine. I’ll give you this one. The beach beats grass any day.”Blaze smirked, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel. “I knew you’d come around. I always win in the end.”I shook my head, my laughter fading into a warm smile. “You are ridiculous, you know that?”“And yet, here you are,” he said with a playful wink, his tone dripping with confidence.I rolled my eyes, unable to fight the grin spreading across my face. As the waves grew louder, signaling our proximity to the shore, I found myself relaxing in a way I hadn’t in ages. There was something oddly comforting about Blaze’s banter—his ability to turn even the most ordinary moments into
FAITHBlaze didn’t answer me immediately. His jaw tightened, and his hands curled into fists at his sides. I had never seen him look like this before—tense, almost like he was bracing for something.“Blaze,” I repeated, my voice softer this time. He didn’t move, his gaze still fixed on the striking red-haired woman near the entrance. His normally sharp expression was distant, like he was somewhere else entirely.I reached out and shook his shoulder lightly, pulling him out of his trance. “Blaze, what’s wrong?”“Nothing,” he said quickly, but the tightness in his voice betrayed him. He glanced away from the woman, his jaw tense, and motioned toward the exit. “Let’s go.”I frowned, unsure whether to press him further, but decided against it. As we walked to the elevator, his silence was heavier than usual, and the air between us felt oddly charged.Once inside, the mirrored walls of the elevator reflected the quiet tension. Blaze stood with his hands in his pockets, his eyes fixed on t
FAITHI let out a laugh, waving off Blaze’s earlier comment as if it was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard. “Obviously, you were acting. I mean, me being your girlfriend is a whole pretense to begin with.”Blaze let out a low, almost imperceptible sound. “Huh. Right,” he muttered, his tone so quiet it barely reached me.I didn’t dwell on it, though, as I gestured to our table. “Let’s continue eating.”He raised an eyebrow, amused. “You really did come here to eat.”“Obviously.” I flashed him a grin. “I mean, being here in front of Austin at this exact moment was part of the plan, but hey, the food? That’s a crucial part of it too.”Blaze chuckled, shaking his head as he picked up his fork. “I get the food part, but honestly? I don’t even get what you’re doing at this point.”I shrugged, spearing a piece of the now slightly cold filet mignon on my plate. “It’s simple, really. I’m just giving them a taste of their own medicine.”Blaze leaned back in his chair, one eyebrow arched.
FAITHAustin pulled back slightly, still holding onto my shoulders. “Faith, please,” he whispered, his voice low but pleading. “I made a huge mistake. I just… I don’t know what I was thinking.”I glanced at Blaze out of the corner of my eye. His jaw was tight, and his hands were clenched on the table as if he were barely restraining himself from intervening. I could almost hear the question he was dying to ask: ‘What the hell is happening right now?’But I ignored him and focused on Austin.Austin’s voice was a constant stream of apologies, each one more desperate than the last. “Faith, I’m so sorry. I was an idiot. I should’ve never—God, I
FAITHThe room seemed to shrink as everyone’s attention turned to the center of the drama. My hand tightened around Blaze’s arm, and he leaned closer to murmur, “Looks like your ex is about to have the night of his life.”“Shh,” I hissed, unable to look away.Austin’s face was a thunderstorm of rage, and his movements were erratic as he threw a handful of glossy photos onto the table in front of him.The pictures scattered like fallen leaves, and from where I stood, I could make out snippets of what they depicted—Reagan and Samuel, also known as Michael, in various settings.In one, they were seated across from each other at a dimly lit restaurant, Samuel leaning forward with a smile, Reagan looking like she was listening intently. In another, they were in the same car, parked in what looked like a secluded spot. There was one of them laughing together behind the campus building, her hand on his arm, and another in a parking lot, where Samuel was holding the car door open for her. No
FAITHBlaze’s lips crashed onto mine with a heat that stunned me into stillness. His hand, firm and steady, pressed lightly against the small of my back, holding me in place as his other arm braced against the wall beside my head. The kiss was brief, but it carried an intensity that sent sparks dancing along my skin. His lips were soft yet demanding, his touch igniting something deep within me that I hadn’t felt in a long time.For a moment, everything else disappeared. The tension in the air, the dim light of the stairwell, even the looming threat of Austin—all of it faded away. My hands found their way to Blaze’s chest, clutching at the fabric of his shirt as if to ground myself. I was lost in the warmth of him, in the way he tasted faintly of the wine we’d shared earlier, in the way his breath mingled with mine.Then, a sharp, irritated voice snapped me out of my trance.“Get a room, guys. What the hell?”Austin’s voice rang out, dripping with annoyance, as he brushed past us on
FAITHThe restaurant was bustling with life, the low hum of conversation and the clinking of cutlery filling the air. The elegant chandeliers cast a warm glow across the room, and the view from the top floor was absolutely breathtaking. Lights from the city below sparkled like scattered diamonds, making everything feel magical.Blaze and I were seated at a cozy table by the window, giving us the best vantage point to take it all in. I toyed with my fork, trying not to look as impressed as I felt.“This place is fancy,” I said, raising an eyebrow at Blaze. “I mean, who knew you had such exquisite taste?”He smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Exquisite taste? I’m pretty sure you picked this place, Faith.”I waved a hand dismissively. “Details. What matters is that you actually brought me here. I half-expected you to flake.”“Flake? Me?” Blaze put a hand to his chest in mock offense. “I’m hurt. You really think so little of me?”I gave him a teasing grin. “I don’t think little of you
FAITHI scoffed, rolling my eyes as I crossed my arms, trying to ignore the unsettling feeling Austin had left behind. “No, obviously not. How stupid do you think I am?” I gave Blaze a sharp look, a frown tugging at my lips. I wasn’t about to let him think for a second that I’d actually fall for Austin’s nonsense again.Blaze leaned back in his chair, relieved, and let out a sigh. “Phew, you better not be. I don’t want my child to get those stupid genes either.” His smirk softened the teasing edge, but I still shot him a glare, even if it didn’t quite reach my heart.“Ugh, whatever,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “I know not to get back together with an ex just because he says a few sweet words. It doesn’t change what he did.”Blaze nodded in agreement, his arms folding across his chest as he leaned forward, his tone growing serious. “Exactly. He’s trash. You deserve way better than that.”A small smirk tugged at my lips, the feeling of vindication bubbling up inside me. “I know, rig
FAITHThe sound stopped me in my tracks—a sad, haunting melody that seemed to float through the corridor like a ghost. The soft yet deliberate notes of a piano filled the air, each one carrying a weight of unspoken pain. I felt the music reach inside me, tugging at emotions I couldn’t quite name. It was the kind of tune that made the world seem quieter, slower, as if it demanded your full attention.My curiosity drew me toward the source. Peeking through the door of the music club, I found the room dimly lit, the air tinged with an almost sacred stillness. At the piano sat a figure I recognized instantly, even from behind.His chestnut curls fell slightly over his neck, catching the faint light. His broad shoulders, tense but steady, moved subtly with the rhythm of his playing. Austin’s fingers glided over the keys, his touch tender but deliberate, like he was pouring his soul into every note.I stepped inside, the sound of my footsteps almost nonexistent against the wooden floor.