Eloise paced back and forth as she waited for Cadence to arrive. She didn’t hear her last statement since Ollie had started vomiting, but she wished that Cadence would come soon.After a few more minutes, someone finally knocked on her door. She sighed in relief and went to open it. “Oh, thank god, you’re here. Ollie is very ill, and I—”She stopped talking when she realized it wasn’t Cadence she was talking to. “What are you doing here?” she snapped. Vaughn looked at the distressed Eloise and took a step forward. “Ollie? What did you mean by Ollie?”Eloise sighed and ran her hand through her hair. She can’t believe that she’ll be revealing it like this. “Isn’t Cadence coming?” she asked. “She’s not,” Vaughn insisted. “Now, what do you mean by what you said?”Just then, Ollie’s voice was heard from their bedroom. “Mommy!” he called out. Eloise ignored Vaughn and quickly went to their room. Vaughn followed from behind her, his heart beating fast inside his chest.“Oh, baby,” El
Vaughn glanced at Eloise and smiled when he saw her sleeping figure. She looked so peaceful like this, but he knew that she endured so many hardships for the past year. Xavi was right when he said that Eloise was the best thing to ever happen in his life. Vaughn was just stupid, naive, and prideful to realize it back then. And now, he doesn’t even know if he could take her back. Eloise mumbled in her sleep, causing Vaughn to let out a chuckle. He went to her and carried her to the extra bed, covering her body with a blanket. “Sleep tight,” he whispered as he observed her angelic face. After making sure that she was sound asleep, he went to Ollie’s bed and moved his hair out of his face. Vaughn was glad that he was already sleeping soundly. His heart ached to see him in so much pain. “Son,” he tested out the waters. Surprisingly, it sounded natural—like he was waiting for this moment. “Son,” he repeated with more confidence this time. “Sleep well, my son,” he whispered, bending
Eloise feels like this is all a dream. For the past day, the three of them had spent time in their own little world—with no one interrupting their peace. It was strange how it felt so natural. But it was scary at the same time. She didn’t want to get attached to Vaughn too soon. “He’s fast asleep,” Vaughn said, glancing at Ollie. “Hmm,” Eloise hummed. “He sleeps really well. That’s one thing I’ve never had a hard time with when he was younger.”“Umm, if it isn’t too much to ask, how was Ollie when he was younger?” he asked. Eloise smiled as the memories flashed back in her mind. “He was such a cute kid,” she recalled. “Even cuter than now.”“How’s that possible?” Vaughn asked. “He’s so cute right now.”“Well, he was. But he was also very sickly. Trips to the hospitals weren’t uncommon when he was younger.”Vaughn frowned. “Is he alright now?”“Yeah,” she nodded her head. “It was mostly during his time as a baby. He was born premature, partially my fault, so he was more sickly t
It was another day, and Vaughn couldn’t wait to wake up. Actually, he hasn’t slept at all since Eloise gave him the approval as Ollie’s father. Eloise woke up and saw Vaughn pacing back and forth. “You look like a zombie,” she deadpanned. “Did you get even an ounce of sleep?”“Nope,” he responded, still pacing back and forth. “Are you nervous?” she asked. “Very,” he said. “I’m afraid that he wouldn’t like me.”Eloise shook her head. “He’s been pestering me about his dad for an entire week now. I think you’re safe.”“You think so?” he asked. Eloise nodded her head. “I know so. Let’s just wait for him to wake up.”Eloise prepared breakfast while Vaughn followed her like a lost puppy. “Do you have anything else to say to me?”“You don’t have any work today?” he asked. “Tomorrow,” she responded. “But Ollie’s going to be discharged tomorrow. I don’t know who’ll take care of that. Maybe I can ask for leave—”“You have me,” he cut her off. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll take care of i
“Are you sure you’ve got it?” Eloise asked, unsure whether to leave Ollie in Vaughn's care. “Yes,” Vaughn said. “We’ll do some fun dad-and-son things.” “Please don’t have too much fun,” she warned. Vaughn chuckled. “We’ll be safe, don’t worry. Just do well on your shoot.” “Are you also sure that it’s okay for you to miss work like this?” “I’m the boss. What can they do? Fire me?” She narrowed his eyes at him. “Alright…I’ll be back after lunch. Prepare his discharge papers in the meantime. This is also the money to pay for his hospital fees. You can—“ Vaughn held onto Eloise’s hand and shook his head. “I’ll pay for this.” She shook her head. “I have money saved up for these kinds of events. Just take it.” He sighed, folded the envelope, and placed it back in her pocket. “Eloise. We’re co-parenting now. I hope you’d let me spoil you rotten—I mean, Ollie. I haven’t been there for the first four years of his life. Let me handle this.” Eventually, Eloise caved in. She’s not
“Wait, director,” Eloise tried to plead. “Listen to me, please. My side of the story is—”“My decision is final, Eloise. I don’t tolerate homewreckers in this set. Pack up and go home.”As Director Hugo left, Alina went closer to Eloise and whispered in her ears. “I told you not to mess with me.”With that, she left Eloise all alone in the office. With only herself in the room, she felt tears brimming in her eyes. She couldn’t stay here any longer, so she quickly ran out of the office and out of the set. She ignored Katherine’s calls and ran to a place far away. She sat down on a bench and started sobbing. This has been her lifelong dream. She thought that moving away to a new city meant having a new life. But why are the people from her past haunting her up until this day? She covered her eyes and continued crying when she suddenly felt someone hold onto her wrist. She lifted her head and saw Vaughn looking down at her with a concerned look. “Vaughn?” she muttered. “What are yo
“This isn’t a good idea,” Eloise said, holding onto Vaughn’s arm. “There are still opportunities to act in the industry. I don’t want to get between your relationship—““For the last time, Eloise. You aren’t ruining anything. It has already been ruined because she cheated on me. You’ve got to think for yourself this time. Is acting your dream?”“For a long time now,” she sighed. “Heck, I love acting so much that I memorized Zoe’s lines in this movie to better understand my character. God knows I’ve wanted this more than anyone.” “Then don’t give up on it. Especially if it's because of something you didn’t do.”“Can I stay in the car, please?” she softly asked.“Of course,” Vaughn said. “Wait here for me, okay?”Eloise nodded her head. She never imagined that the day would come when Vaughn would pick her over Alina.Vaughn left Eloise in the car while he trudged to the set. He felt their gazes and whispers as he walked but ignored them. He only had one objective in mind. They were cu
“What did he say?” Eloise asked when Vaughn entered the car. “Everything’s settled,” he said. “How about Alina? How did she react?”“Let’s just say she’s going to get some bad news today,” he smiled.“Why are you so happy about that?” she asked.He shrugged his shoulders. “She deserves it.”Eloise sighed. “So, what will happen now? Did they reconsider my role?”“Even better,” he smirked. “I landed you the major role. You’re playing Zoe now.” “What?” she exclaimed, not believing his words. “How did that happen?”“You’ve practiced her lines, right?” he asked.Eloise nodded her head. “Then you’re perfect for Zoe’s role. There currently isn’t any understudy for her, so I suggested you. Director Hugo has always been impressed with your acting, and this is a good chance.”Eloise couldn’t help but smile. “I still don’t know why you’re doing this for me.”“I’m making up for all my mistakes. And you deserve it. You really do.”“And Alina?” she softly asked. “Did you break up with her?”Vau