I stand in front of my mirror, putting the final touches on my outfit. I can't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness. Tomorrow is Ellis' wedding, and as much as I have a bone to pick with her for putting me in the weird position where I have to ride with Abel to the wedding, I a
I try to adjust the seat so that I can lean back and rest comfortably, but I can't seem to find the handle. That's the thing with never handling such high-class cars in my life."It's on the other side," he says, and I chuckle in embarrassment."Right." I try to reach for it, but I still can't. So I
"No, we weren't... don't you have a wedding tomorrow, Ellis? And Clay, aren't you supposed to put your son to bed?" I try to change the conversation, and they both laugh."The kids went home with the nanny, and Ellis can still gossip even if her wedding is tomorrow," Clay says, and now I wish someon
"It's none of your business, Abel," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. "Dylan and I went on a date, but it's not something I need to discuss with you."I glance at Abel, and I see a mix of emotions in his eyes – concern, uncertainty, and something else that I can't quite pinpoint.Before I can
There is something beautiful about watching two people in love. Witnessing them face every challenge the world throws at their relationship, and watching their love continue to grow, gives one a sense of satisfaction and joy that permeates the atmosphere.I watch as Ellis and Cain exchange their vow
"I don't think it's fair to dance with a stranger when I was your ride here," Abel's voice fills my ears, sending shivers down my spine. I stop in my tracks and swallow hard before turning around."Hey, Abel," I say with a smile, turning around. I've been avoiding him the whole day, and I was hoping
I'm sitting at my desk, scrolling through emails when my phone rings. I check the caller ID, and it's Clay."Hey girl, has he said anything?" Clay asks, and I shake my head."He isn't even talking to me," I tell her, and I can already tell from her silence that she is a little disappointed. However,
Tracy knocks on the door, and we hear Abel's voice from inside, telling us to come in. As we step into the room, I can feel Abel's eyes on me, and I quickly look away. Of course, he just had to look this attractive today."Hey, Abel," Tracy says, smiling brightly. "We wanted to run an idea by you fo
“Abel, you are proposing…” The words tumble out of my mouth in disbelief, more of a statement than a question. He nods, and then, to my utter shock, he gets down on one knee. I feel the world around us blur and slow down, my pulse pounding in my ears.“Mildred Turina, will you marry me?” His voice w
She scoffs playfully, giving me that familiar look that says she’s still got it all under control. “I know how to take care of children, honey. We will be fine. You two go have fun.”Relief washes over me. Even though we’re leaving them in the best possible hands, the part of me that has grown attac
We’re heading to Abel’s lake house for a weekend getaway—just the two of us. He said he got the place a few years ago but rarely gets to use it. He has only taken the twins there a few times because the only time he gets enough time to spend with them without many distractions from work is during th
Epilogue"Come here,” I call her over, and she reluctantly pulls her fingers off her brother’s chubby cheeks, then walks back to where I am. I crouch down to be at her level, trying to mask the amusement I feel at her little pout.“If you keep harassing your brother, I will have him stay with me at
“Did I?”“You bitch!” I burst out laughing. He has definitely been holding that back.“I was busy dealing with a concussion to see anything, oh, and my mom has way more money than you, you know, and her money combined with the money my dad left me, which I just found out was a lot by the way, then A
“Mom, I…”“I should have taken you with me when he died, but I thought you were already a grown woman and you wouldn’t need me anymore, and I will never forgive myself for that because if I did, then you wouldn’t have ended up with an abusive man. I could have protected you from repeating the cycle.
"Abel, he is good for you," she repeats, this time more firmly. There’s a strange sadness in her eyes, as if she’s remembering all the times she wished someone had said those words to her. I nod, acknowledging her observation, but I don’t want to delve into a discussion about Abel with her. "I feel
"Are you ready to go home?" Abel asks, and I nod eagerly. The sterile scent of antiseptic clings to the air, making me desperate to leave this hospital room and everything it represents. My heart pounds with a need to escape—to feel the cool air outside, untainted by the trauma that haunts these wal
“Oh…”“I love you, and I would want you in my life and the twins too, but you need to accept that fact about me. I don’t even know if I can be a mother to your children or a stepmother. I just don’t know if I have it in me, even though I love them, and I love you,” I say, and I’m nervously waiting f