Sarah pov.By mid-morning, I’d had enough of Marina’s relentless remarks. She had barely been awake for an hour and had already managed to critique my toast, my tea, and my posture at the breakfast table. I needed an escape—or at least some good advice. I grabbed my phone and slipped into the guest room, locking the door behind me for some much-needed privacy.Zoe answered on the first ring, her chipper tone cutting through my frustration like a breath of fresh air. “Sarah! How’s my favorite boss lady-slash-baby incubator?” I groaned. “I’m surviving. Barely.” “Oh no, Marina’s still there, isn’t she?” Zoe asked, her voice laced with amusement. “She’s practically set up camp,” I said, flopping onto the bed. “This morning, she told me I should replace my toast with oatmeal because it’s better for my digestion. And yesterday, it was water. She counted how many sips I took, Zoe. Counted.” Zoe burst into laughter, the kind that made me laugh too, even though I was still annoyed
Richard pov.The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the kitchen table. Marina was seated there, her coffee cup cradled in her hands as she scrolled on her phone. For once, there was silence—a brief reprieve after days of subtle jabs and unsolicited advice. I noticed her suitcase by the door and felt a flicker of relief. Marina’s departure was imminent, but as much as I wanted to celebrate the end of this stressful visit, a part of me wanted to ensure we ended things on good terms.She was still family, after all, even if she had an uncanny knack for pushing Sarah’s buttons. “Heading out soon, Marina?” I asked casually, leaning against the counter with my own coffee. She looked up and gave a tight-lipped smile. “Yes. I should be on the road in about an hour. It’s a long drive back.” I nodded. “Safe travels. Do you need anything for the trip? Snacks? Water?” She waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, no, I’m fine. You and Sarah have been… accommodat
Sarah pov.The next few days felt like a slow exhale, like when you finally get to take off a tight pair of shoes after a long day. It wasn’t that I hated Marina—I just couldn’t stand how overbearing she’d been. I had always known she could be a bit much, but having her around constantly made it hard to keep my patience. Now, with her gone, I could finally breathe.I was sitting at the kitchen table the morning after she left, sipping my coffee in peace. Richard was at the counter, fiddling with the coffee machine, his back turned to me. It was a rare moment of calm, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to let go of all the tension that had built up in the past week.“You okay?” Richard asked, glancing over his shoulder with a slight smirk. “You seem... quieter than usual.”I shook my head, forcing a smile. “Just... tired, I guess. It’s nice to have the house back to ourselves. No unsolicited advice on every little thing.” I chuckled lightly, trying to lighten the mood. But deep down,
Richard povThe hum of the kettle filled the kitchen as I leaned against the counter, waiting for it to boil. It had been a peaceful morning—no sharp comments, no awkward silences—just Sarah and me enjoying the calm. But as my phone buzzed on the counter, the name flashing on the screen made my stomach twist: Marina. I hesitated for a second before picking up. “Hey, Marina,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Richard, hi! I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time,” she chirped. Her voice was overly sweet, the kind of tone people use when they’re about to dive into something uncomfortable. “No, it’s fine. What’s up?” I replied, keeping my voice even. “I just wanted to check in after I left. You know, make sure there’s no hard feelings. I feel like things got... tense while I was there.” I gripped the counter, reminding myself to stay calm. “It’s been fine. We’re good.” She sighed, a dramatic sort of sigh that made my eye twitch. “Look, I know Sarah can be a bit... sensitive.
Sarah pov.The house was quiet, the kind of quiet I hadn’t felt in weeks. It was almost strange how still everything seemed after Marina’s departure, like the air itself had stopped bristling with her constant comments and hovering presence. I sat at the kitchen table, sipping on a cup of chamomile tea. The warmth spread through me, but my thoughts kept drifting back to her—what she’d said, what she’d implied, and the way it all made me feel. I’d been so relieved when she left, but now that the dust was settling, I couldn’t shake this uncomfortable feeling in my chest. It wasn’t just about her words. It was the way they made me question things I thought I’d been confident about. “Everything okay?” Richard’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. He was leaning against the kitchen counter, watching me. I nodded, but it was more out of habit than conviction. “Yeah. Just thinking.” He walked over, pulling out the chair beside me and sitting down. His hand reached for mine, warm a
Richard pov.The parenting workshop was held in a cozy community center, the kind of place that smelled faintly of crayons and coffee. The walls were plastered with cheerful posters about child safety and breastfeeding tips, which I pretended to read while we waited for the session to begin. My hands fidgeted with the pamphlet they’d handed us at the door. It had a smiling cartoon baby on the cover and the words Parenting: You’ve Got This! in bold, bubbly letters. Somehow, I wasn’t convinced. Sarah sat beside me, flipping through the same pamphlet, her brow furrowed in concentration. “Did you know that swaddling can reduce colic?” she asked, nudging me with her elbow. “Nope,” I said, glancing sideways at her. “But I guess we’re about to become swaddling experts, huh?” She laughed, a sound I hadn’t heard enough of in the last few days. Ever since Marina had left, Sarah had been quieter, more introspective. I could tell she was still processing everything, but we’d both been to
Sarah pov.It was one of those days. You know the kind. Where everything seems to go wrong, even when nothing in particular happens. It started in the morning, when I woke up feeling off—like my skin was too tight, or maybe my brain was running at full speed while my body was stuck in slow motion. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew something wasn’t right. Richard had already gone into work by the time I crawled out of bed, the house quiet around me. I rubbed my eyes, feeling the exhaustion in every part of me. Pregnancy hormones, they’d warned me. A rollercoaster, they said. But today, it felt like I was stuck at the bottom of the hill, and all I could see was the long, steep climb ahead.I had a plan for the day. Nothing too exciting, just some errands and cleaning up around the house. But every time I tried to do something, I’d get distracted or feel overwhelmed, like I couldn’t focus on anything for more than a few minutes. I ended up sitting on the couch, staring o
Richard pov.The morning was off to a slow start, but I didn’t mind. Sarah looked like she needed the extra few minutes in bed. I watched her for a moment, her hand resting on her growing belly, her hair messy from sleep. It hit me again, like it had been hitting me every day for months now: I was going to be a dad. “Richard,” she mumbled, her eyes barely open. “Don’t stare. It’s creepy.” I chuckled, leaning over to kiss her forehead. “It’s not staring, it’s admiring. Totally different.” She groaned, throwing the blanket over her head. “Go admire the coffee machine.” She wasn’t wrong. We had a hospital pre-registration appointment later, and I figured a cup of coffee might help me face the mountain of paperwork that probably awaited us. The hospital was about as inviting as hospitals could be—sterile, bright, and slightly intimidating. We sat in a small office, and a nurse handed us a clipboard full of forms. I took one look at the stack and whistled. “Looks like they wa
Richard pov.The weeks that followed were like a dream, the kind of dream I never wanted to wake up from. Sarah’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. She was her old self again—strong, radiant, and filled with the kind of joy that seemed to light up any room she entered. And our daughter? She was growing so fast, already wrapping us—and everyone else—in her tiny fingers. But the best part of it all? We were finally preparing for our wedding. Sarah wanted something small and intimate, just us and our closest family and friends. She’d always talked about having a garden wedding, surrounded by nature, with the sun setting in the background. And that’s exactly what we were going to do. The morning was a flurry of activity. Zoe was in charge of decorations, barking orders at Martins, who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. “Martins, the flowers go on the left,” Zoe said, hands on her hips. “They look fine where they are,” Martins shot back, holding up a bouquet of
Richard pov.Weeks passed. Life felt like a blur of hospital visits, endless updates from doctors, and quiet moments spent in Sarah’s room. I was there every day, holding her hand, speaking softly to her, willing her to wake up. Zoe and Martins tried their best to keep things light whenever they visited, cracking jokes or telling stories, but even they couldn’t hide their worry. The NICU had become another constant in my life. Our daughter was thriving despite her premature birth, a tiny fighter who seemed determined to make it through. I’d visit her every evening after sitting with Sarah, watching her tiny chest rise and fall under the glow of the incubator’s lights. She was the only glimmer of hope in an otherwise dark time. “Hey, little one,” I whispered one night, my hand resting on the incubator. “Your mom’s going to wake up soon. She has to. She wouldn’t leave us like this.” It was a quiet morning when the miracle happened. I was sitting in Sarah’s room, flipping through
Richard pov.The morning of the trial felt heavy. I left the hospital earlier than usual, making sure Zoe would stay with Sarah. Despite the overwhelming dread, there was a part of me that felt strangely numb, as if my emotions had run dry after weeks of worry and anger. Martins met me outside the courthouse, impeccably dressed in his usual sharp suit. He clapped a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding. “Today’s a big step forward,” he said. “Remember, this trial is about getting justice, not reopening wounds. You’re here to see Susan held accountable, not to punish yourself for her actions.”I nodded, though his words didn’t settle the unease churning in my gut. The courtroom was cold, and even though I’d prepared myself for this moment, seeing Susan seated across the room made my stomach twist. She didn’t look like someone riddled with guilt; she looked indifferent, like this was just another ordinary day. The prosecution opened with a detailed timeline of events, recou
Richard pov.The call from the police came just after dawn, jarring me awake in the cold, uncomfortable chair next to Sarah’s hospital bed. I fumbled with my phone, heart pounding as I stepped into the hallway to answer.“We’ve located Susan,” the officer said. “She’s in custody. We’d like you to come down to the station.”My grip tightened around the phone. The relief I felt was fleeting, quickly replaced by anger. “I’ll be there,” I said, my voice low.Zoe appeared beside me as I hung up. She had been sitting with Sarah through the night, taking turns with Martins to ensure I wasn’t alone. Her eyes were heavy with exhaustion, but her concern for Sarah mirrored my own.“Was that about Susan?” she asked.I nodded. “They’ve got her. I’m heading to the station.”“I’m coming with you,” she said firmly.“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Stay here. I need someone I trust to be with Sarah.”She hesitated, then sighed. “Fine. But keep me updated.”When I arrived at the police station, Martin
Richard pov.The cold, sterile environment of the police station did nothing to settle the unease that had been gnawing at me since Sarah’s fall. Sitting across from Isabelle in the small interrogation room only amplified it. She looked different—disheveled, almost feral—but her eyes still held that same unhinged intensity I remembered from before. Martins sat beside me, arms crossed, his body language radiating skepticism and disgust. The officer standing by the door had warned us to keep the conversation civil, but I wasn’t here to trade pleasantries. “Why, Isabelle?” My voice was steady, but my hands clenched into fists under the table. “Why did you hurt Sarah?” She tilted her head, a slow, deliberate movement that made my skin crawl. Then, she smiled—a twisted, almost childlike grin. “She wanted to take you from me,” she said, her tone eerily calm. I blinked, the sheer absurdity of her words momentarily robbing me of speech. “Take me from you? Isabelle, how many times
Richard pov.Morning came soon. The soft hum of the machines in Sarah’s room provided a false sense of calm, but every beep reminded me she was hanging on by a thread. My chest felt heavy with every passing second, waiting for her to open her eyes, to tell me everything would be okay. Zoe and Martins stayed close, their presence quiet but steady. Zoe would occasionally bring coffee or attempt to distract me with updates on the baby, but my focus stayed on Sarah.Martins had taken over the logistics—coordinating with hospital staff, keeping everyone updated, and ensuring the security team outside wasn’t slacking. It was just after 7 a.m. when my phone buzzed in my pocket, the vibration snapping me out of my daze. I saw the caller ID and immediately stepped out of the room to take the call. “This better be good,” I snapped, my voice low but sharp. “Mr. Wright,” a familiar voice responded—it was Derek, head of my security team. “We’ve apprehended Isabelle.” The words didn’t re
Richard povThe living room buzzed with life—laughter, the clinking of glasses, and warm chatter filled the air. Guests had arrived, carrying brightly wrapped gifts and wide smiles. It should have been a joyful day, a celebration of new life. But all I could feel was unease twisting in my gut like a knot that wouldn’t come undone. Martins nudged me as I stood by the window, eyes darting to the security guards stationed discreetly outside. “Hey, CIA,” he joked, his tone light. “You might wanna dial it down before Sarah figures out you’ve turned the baby shower into a covert operation.” I managed a thin smile. “Just being cautious.” Martins chuckled. “Yeah, cautious is your middle name. You’re so tense, you might scare the baby into coming early.” His humor didn’t land. I couldn’t shake the image of Sarah falling down those stairs from my mind—a thought that had no basis but still felt like an omen. Isabelle was out there. I didn’t know where, and that made her a threat.
Sarah pov.I woke up feeling like I was floating on air. Memories of last night flooded back—the soft glow of fairy lights, Richard’s face as he knelt before me, the ring that sparkled on my finger. I glanced at my hand, letting the sunlight catch the diamond, and smiled. It still felt surreal. The baby stirred, a gentle nudge reminding me she was there. “Good morning, little one,” I murmured, rubbing my belly. She responded with another kick, and my heart swelled. Today was going to be beautiful, filled with friends and laughter at the baby shower. But as I climbed out of bed and pulled on a robe, a faint unease settled in the back of my mind. Something I couldn’t quite place. When I reached the kitchen, the smell of coffee and the sound of laughter greeted me. Zoe was sitting at the counter, holding a steaming mug, while Martins leaned back in his chair, mid-joke. “Ah, our glowing bride-to-be!” Martins said with exaggerated flair, waving his hands like a magician. I roll
Richard pov.It had been a month since our trip to the nearby town. Sarah was now in her eighth month, and every day, I marveled at how gracefully she handled the ups and downs of pregnancy. But today was about more than just her strength—it was about giving her a moment to remember forever. I had planned a re-engagement surprise for her, one that would let her know how much she meant to me, now and always.“Martins, hurry up with the banner!” I called out as my best friend tried to figure out which end of the ribbon went where. He muttered something about not being a decorator, but I ignored him.The house was chaotic, but the good kind. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself as I rushed from one end of the living room to the other, adjusting balloons and making sure the decorations didn’t look like a Pinterest project gone wrong. I wanted everything to be perfect for Sarah. After everything we’d been through, she deserved that—and more.“Richard, mate, you need to chill,” Ma