~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