~Xander~I entered my room, seeking a moment of relaxation. But within a few minutes, Katherine’s call interrupted my solitude, urging me to accompany her to the beach. It seemed like an opportunity to escape the confines of my room and enjoy some leisure time by the shore.Before making any decisions, I considered asking Aoife if she would like to join Katherine. However, I quickly dismissed the thought, realizing she wouldn’t be interested. Instead, I reached out to Brandon and invited him to come along with Aoife, and fortunately, he agreed.As Katherine busied herself with applying sunscreen, she couldn’t help but complain about the beach and everything surrounding her. Sensing her dissatisfaction, I decided to take matters into my own hands. “I’ll go grab some drinks for all of us,” I said, making my way towards the bar. As I walked, I noticed Brandon and Alex running joyfully towards the beach, a pang of jealousy flickering within me. My son with him? It was difficult to accept
~Aoife~I checked myself out in the mirror again. I was wearing a sleeveless A-line emerald green satin dress that stopped at the floor. It hugged my body perfectly, like a second skin. I style my long brown curls in a classy bun, leaving loose strands of hair to frame my face. I didn’t need heavy makeup and decided to go for a more natural look.“Beautiful,” I whispered to myself, giving a playful wink in the mirror.Crouching down, I slipped on my heels. “Perfect,” feeling a surge of confidence. I grabbed my clutch and made sure I had all the essentials, my card, phone, and the hotel key.Glancing at the time, I realized it was already five o’clock, and the ceremony was set to start in an hour. I quickly dialed Alex and Jing, letting them know I was on my way.As I stepped outside, Alex approached me and signaled for me to bend down. Confused, I complied, and he placed a gentle kiss on my cheek. “You look beautiful, Mommy,” he said innocently, causing a warm blush to spread across m
~Xander~As we conversed, I overheard a conversation between Angel and her friends, discussing Aoife and Gabriel’s relationship.“Who is she? Gabriel seems so happy with her,” Angel’s friends commented.Feeling a pang of sadness, I listened intently to Angel’s response, hoping for some insight into their bond.“It’s okay, girls. I love him, and I know he loves me. Aoife is his best friend, but there’s a difference between friendship and love. Friendship is a beautiful connection, but love runs deeper. So even if you try to cast doubt on Gabriel, it’s futile. I have faith in his love for me.” Angel’s words resonated within me, stirring up memories of my past with Aoife and the regrets I carried. Overwhelmed by emotions, I approached Angel and gently took her hand.“Angel, I’m Xander. I hope you remember me,” I introduced myself, hoping she had heard about my connection with Aoife.Angel smiled, sensing my touch, and recognizing my name. “Xander, the man who loves Aoife.” I chuckled, r
It was morning, and as I opened my eyes, I saw Xander peacefully sleeping beside me. Reality hit me like a wave crashing against the shore. I understood that it was the influence of alcohol that had brought me to this vulnerable state, where I had let down my guard.Exhaling deeply, the weight of guilt washed over me. I couldn’t believe I had come here and slept with the man who held the power to shatter my heart. I got up and made my way toward the bathroom, only to find my dress ripped and wet on the floor. Hastily, I grabbed a bathrobe, my mind in a fog of hangover and aching emotions. All I wanted was to leave the room immediately, to escape from the consequences of my actions.As I approached the door, I heard his voice. “Where are you going?” Xander woke up, his words slicing through the air. I didn’t turn back to face him, knowing that confrontation would only make everything more difficult.“I’m leaving, and whatever happened between us, it was a mistake.” “What did you say?
~Aoife~Once again, I found myself broken, but this time, my actions were driven by a fierce need to protect my son. The fear that gripped my heart was so intense that I couldn’t see any other reason for Xander’s sudden interest in our son. Returning to my room, my mind felt frozen, overwhelmed by the realization that I had let my guard down with a man who could once again crush my soul.With a heavy heart, I began packing our bags, knowing that it was time to leave. It felt like I was running from Xander and the pain he had inflicted upon me. Within an hour, we were out of the hotel, escaping from a situation that had become unbearable.Brandon, concerned about my sudden decision, questioned me, but I couldn’t find the words amidst my tears. Alex, my sweet son, hugged me tightly, unaware of the turmoil that surrounded us. With a troubled mind and a restless heart, we made our way home. Jing, our trusted friend, took Alex from my arms, providing him with the care and stability he deser
~Aoife~“What happened, Alex?” I cried out, my voice trembling with fear and desperation. The sight of blood escaping from his mouth sent shockwaves through my entire being. Panic surged through me, and I knew we had to rush him to the hospital immediately. Gabriel swiftly took him in his arms, and we hurried towards the car, my body shaking with a mix of terror and guilt. As we raced towards the hospital, I cradled Alex in my lap, my trembling hands gently touching him, searching for any sign of what had happened to my precious child.Desperate for answers, I turned to Brandon, my voice filled with anguish. “Brandon, what happened to him?” I longed for someone to provide me with an explanation, to alleviate the overwhelming guilt and uncertainty that consumed me. We arrived at the hospital, and doctors swiftly whisked Alex away, their urgent movements fueling my rising panic. My body quivered with fear, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a punishment for breaking my son’s h
~Aoife~I slept soundly on Xander’s shoulder, finding comfort and a respite from the turmoil of my emotions. But as the morning dawned, I fluttered my eyes open, feeling the strain in my neck and back. I rubbed the tense muscles, trying to ease the soreness.“Are you okay?” Xander whispered, shifting his shoulder to give me some relief. I blinked my heavy eyes, offering him a faint smile, and gently rubbed my temple.“Yes, how is Alex?”.“He’s still under observation,” Xander replied, his hand making soothing circles on my back.I excused myself to the restroom, splashing water on my face in an attempt to refresh myself. As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I noticed that my eyes were swollen from crying. My son was fighting for his life, and here was the man outside doing everything he could to help. I silently wished for his well-being, my gaze lost in a cascade of thoughts.Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself for the news that lay ahead. Returning to my seat, I observed
~Aoife~We drove for the next two hours, and then Alex’s plea for a restroom break interrupted our journey. Xander smiled, embracing the new role he was playing as a father figure. It was evident that he was enjoying this journey just as much as Alex was.“Okay, champ. Do you want to eat something?” Xander asked, winking at Alex through the rearview mirror.“He likes Chik-fil-A,” I responded instinctively. Within a couple of miles, we spotted our favorite place and decided to take a break.“Mommy, look, a play place!” Alex exclaimed, jumping out of the car.“Okay, but first, let’s go to the restroom, and then you need to eat something,” I commanded, taking his hand, and leading him towards the restroom.“Hey, I’ll take him,” Xander insisted, placing his hand on my lower back. I smiled, appreciating the gesture of shared responsibility. They headed to the restroom while I stayed behind, scanning my phone anxiously. The stress of a job interview call weighed heavily on my mind. When th
Hello Folks, Thanks for joining in,I am super excited to tell you I am ready with another amazing story.Here is the blurb."When the act of saving reveals a world of secrets, the journey ahead becomes a collision of hearts and hidden truths."Dr. Hazel Colton, a kind-hearted woman dreaming of love and family, never expected to encounter Wyatt Romano, an alpha known for his cold and ruthless nature. Their lives collide one dark night when Hazel saves Wyatt’s life, only to uncover a world of wolf secrets she never imagined.Now, Hazel is bound to keep his secret, but it comes at a cost. She’s compelled to become his mistress, living under his mercy—a human in a wolves' world.However, Wyatt soon realizes that the woman he’s keeping close harbors secrets of her own—secrets that could potentially destroy his pack. An unknown enemy lurks in disguise.Will Wyatt be able to trust Hazel? Or will unrevealed mysteries alter the trajectory of their entwined fates?Was it destiny, or was ther
~Aoife~I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as I prepared for my wedding day. The room was filled with love and happiness, and Neeral was helping fix my perfect bun, adjusting my veil. I finally looked at myself in the mirror, and tears welled up in my eyes.“It feels like I’m dreaming,” I breathed, my voice filled with emotion.“No, you’re not. This is what you’ve always wanted,” a familiar voice came from the corner of the room. I turned and saw Gabriel and Angel walking towards me.“Congratulations,” Angel said, hugging me tightly.“Thank you.” Gabriel cupped my face and gently kissed the top of my head. “I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen now.” “What do you mean?” “You’re pregnant.” Confusion furrowed my brow. “That means Xander should be prepared to get his ass kicked by you.” He chuckled. We all laughed, enjoying the lighthearted moment.“No, I’ve done this before, and I know how to compose myself.” “No, you don’t know how to comp
~Aoife~My eyes welled up with tears as I listened to Matt and Neeral’s story, realizing the depth of their love and the challenges they had faced. Even Xander, sitting beside me, seemed lost in his thoughts, his gaze fixed on them. Matt, seated next to Neeral, gently caressed her belly and planted a tender kiss on her head, a gesture filled with love and anticipation.“This is our story,” he said, a smile gracing his face as he glanced towards us, his friends. The room fell into an awkward silence as the weight of their emotional journey settled upon us. Unable to contain my emotions, I stood up and embraced Neeral tightly, feeling gratitude for the strength and love she had shown even when Matt was filled with hatred.“Thank you for loving him when he hated you,” I whispered, my voice choking with emotion. Then I turned to Matt and hugged him as well. “And thank you for loving her when she lost all hope in you.”Xander nodded in agreement, silently acknowledging the profound impact
~Neeral~Eight Months Later…It had been eight long months since I last laid eyes on Matt, yet my heart still ached from the moment I left him. When he unexpectedly showed up in Seattle, seeking my forgiveness, I foolishly allowed a glimmer of hope to flicker within me. But I soon realized that it was nothing more than a gesture of a gentleman asking for forgiveness, devoid of any deeper feelings. In an attempt to distance myself, I cut off all social contacts and disappeared from social media, keeping a low profile.I didn’t know if I was hiding from Matt or simply afraid of what might transpire if he discovered I was now residing in Austin. I had started a new job at a local publication house, which paid enough for me to survive. I rented a house with new friends, and everything seemed to be going well. However, every weekend served as a reminder of my solitude, as my friends would retreat to their families’ or boyfriends’ houses. To fool my longing heart, I sometimes found myself s
~Neeral~Despite having crushed Taylor’s heart, he selflessly requested that I stay and help him finish the work in Seattle before I left for Austin. I agreed, feeling a sense of responsibility towards him. He didn’t complain or question me about the person responsible for his heartbreak. His kindness and understanding only intensified my guilt.Taylor had planned a farewell dinner for me, but he had to leave abruptly due to his father’s illness. He apologized and asked me to stay in Seattle for another week to assist him. As he departed, I found myself alone in the chilly city, fully engrossed in completing the pending work before my departure.Returning to my cottage, I was greeted by John and his wife, who had been taking care of the place. They had prepared a delicious meal for me, and I thanked them with a smile. However, the atmosphere took a sudden turn when John informed me that someone had come looking for me earlier but refused to provide his name.Confused, I frowned and ca
~Matt~Mending a broken heart felt like an impossible task, akin to building a sandcastle in a perpetually wet place. No matter how hard I tried, a wave would inevitably crash upon me, obliterating everything I had painstakingly constructed. How foolish was I to find myself in the same situation again?I had developed a special connection with Neeral, only to witness her accepting Taylor’s ring. Falling in love once more required effort, but I failed to nurture it. Our story seemed to leap to its climax before it even had a chance to begin.When Taylor proposed to her, I struggled to understand how I should react. Should I direct my anger toward him or at myself? I didn’t dare express my feelings to her, and she didn’t wait for me either. We shared a bond, but my confusion persisted. Was it friendship or something more? An unsettling fear crawled beneath my skin.What if I told her how I felt, and she left me like Aoife did? What if I asked her to wait, allowing me to discern if my em
~Neeral~After my heartfelt conversation with Taylor, I returned home. He had expressed his love for me with such joy, but Matt’s reaction to my proposal left me astounded. Why did he act like such a jerk? He had never seen me as anything more than a friend, so why did it seem like he was unhappy?With a stack of files in my hands, I struggled to open the door to my house. It was already 8 o’clock, and Matt wasn’t home. I called him, but he didn’t answer. I sent him a message, and I saw the three dots indicating that he was typing, but no reply came.Feeling a mix of worry and frustration, I decided to take a quick shower, prepare dinner, and keep myself busy with work. I waited for him at the dinner table for a long time, but he never showed up.My eyes wandered to the ring Taylor had given me. It was beautiful, and it brought a faint smile to my face. Perhaps one day, I would be able to love Taylor as deeply as I had loved Matt.Lost in my thoughts, my phone chimed. It was Taylor on
~Neeral~It had been two weeks since that horrible incident happened to me, and a strange feeling of suffocation took hold of my heart. I thought I could survive as Matt’s friend, but the closer we got, the more I felt myself drowning in pain. I couldn’t see myself as just his friend anymore. This realization reached its peak when he referred to me as his close friend in front of his family.Last weekend, we went to meet his parents. They welcomed me with open arms. It felt nice because I missed my mom so much. Matt told them about Aoife and Xander, and it surprised his parents to hear about those incidents. They were happy that I stood by Matt’s side, but I cursed myself for creating so much pain for myself. I was foolish to let him enter my heart, and now it was enough. I needed to move on.I created profiles on dating apps, hoping to find someone who would help me forget about Matt. However, my bad luck struck again when he saw an email notification from a dating app on my laptop.“
“Matt!” I screamed, desperation and fear filling my voice.Suddenly, someone forcibly pulled him away from me, and all I could hear was Victor’s agonized scream before I heard his feet on the floor as he rushed out of the house. Matt came barging back into the room, and as my senses slowly returned, I scrambled to cover my nakedness.Shivering and bleeding from my lips, I looked up at Matt, hoping for his protection and salvation. He scratched my face and body, leaving visible marks of his assault, and all I wanted was to be safe in Matt’s arms. “Hey, are you okay?” Matt’s voice trembled with concern as he hurried to my side. He grabbed a bedsheet and gently wrapped it around me, shielding me from the world’s harshness. Tears streamed down my face, and I couldn’t help but feel disgusted when I looked at myself.“It’s all my fault... I am worthless,” I whimpered, my voice filled with self-loathing.Matt’s eyes widened with disbelief, and he reached out to touch my trembling shoulder.