A few days passed, and Sammy only grew more anxious. David still hadn't shown up at their new home, and the man she hired to keep an eye on Yvonne’s home claimed he hadn’t gone there either.Sammy wanted David to realize his errors and beg her for forgiveness, but he was still feeling guilty for hurting her and thought that staying away would solve the situation.At work, he stuck to his department, and since she made no attempt to approach him either, they managed to stay out of each other’s line of sight. Many of their colleagues had asked both parties if everything was fine, and they both replied that they just needed some space. Nothing too serious.Sammy's mood, however, took a turn when she was notified that Yvonne hadn’t been to her apartment for over two days. Her first thought was that David and Yvonne had created a secret meeting place, but after further investigation, she found out that he had still been sleeping at the office.Unable to shake the feeling that she was givi
Yvonne stayed for quite a while at Amy's house, and during that time, she discovered the profound sense of peace she felt away from the home where all her trauma had originated. After expressing her desire to move out from her former house to secure the peace her heart needed, Amy discussed it with her fiancé. He eagerly asked Amy to move in with him, allowing Yvonne to remain at Amy's apartment.Amy suggested that Yvonne should consider settling the paperwork of ownership with the building management after Amy's lease ended. Yvonne insisted she would only stay if she was allowed to pay Amy back, and finally, a decision was made after Amy reluctantly agreed.Yvonne now had a new apartment. Amy came regularly to take her personal belongings until the house was ready to be rearranged to Yvonne's liking. Aside from work, Yvonne procrastinated on decorating her new home and eagerly anticipated the day Lily and Jack would return. The nightly video chats with Lily made her evenings, affecti
Micheal coughed in embarrassment. The lengths his children would go to use him to impress their new friend were immeasurable.“I am very useful,” he echoed his son's words, and Yvonne couldn’t help but burst into laughter.Micheal grew confused. “My usefulness is funny to you, Miss Yvonne? Ha, I’m glad,” he said sarcastically.“You should see your expression, Mr. Langston. You look horrified,” Yvonne replied.She was sure Micheal would never help her unpack, and his expression confirmed her thoughts. Micheal looked as if he had swallowed an abomination. His lips twitched in obvious irritation but morphed into a forced smile when his kids turned around.It was simply hilarious.“He looks grumpy, right?” Lily asked.Yvonne nodded, still smiling.“Don’t worry. He’ll do it anyway,” Jack added, and with that, both kids dragged Yvonne toward the table set for their dining in the private room of the restaurant.Yvonne's and Lily's plates were packed full of food. Jack kept filling Yvonne’s
In the end, Yvonne found herself browsing a few interior decor magazines with Lily, who sat comfortably between her legs. The little darling looked extremely pleased where she was, and the same could be said about Yvonne. As Lily gave her suggestions like an adult, Yvonne subconsciously brushed her fingers through Lily's hair. Yvonne had initially hoped to paint the walls in her preferred colors and maybe set up a small office in a corner of the room that faced the balcony, providing a serene view of the sky. But with Lily acting so enthusiastically over the designs, she immediately changed her mind. She thought about Micheal being a driver, assuming he lived a modest life. The thought of bringing the little girl's fantasy to life made her heart swell with joy. Spending on that felt more fulfilling than dressing up and booking expensive restaurants to rebuild a relationship. She knew David still felt something for her, but after how he treated her that night, Yvonne regretted puttin
Finally, Micheal was done with his task. He looked around the room with a sense of pride. He had never bothered with such mundane tasks in his life. With enough money at his disposal, he had always had helpers to take care of these aspects. However, after spending over three years taking care of his children, it didn't feel as distant as it once had, and he was proud of the outcome.With his hands on his hips, Micheal glanced around the room with his lips pursed. Jack knew that was his father's pleased expression. He jumped down from his inspection stage and raised his hand to give his father a high five. Micheal bent his tall frame and lightly pressed his large palm to Jack's small one. Jack was proud of his father; he had done a good job impressing the woman he still strongly believed would be his mommy.“Do you want to go call her to have a look?” Micheal asked Jack, who eagerly nodded his head and ran outside the bedroom. Micheal took a quick glance around and quickly smoothed the
Yvonne had no idea how to respond and merely smiled to cover up the awkwardness. She understood that Micheal was doing everything he could for his children, but how did he feel personally? It was admirable that he did so much for his children's sake, but what about his own integrity? Was he upset that he had to touch a stranger's belongings?Yvonne wondered what thoughts roamed through his mind as he helped her unpack while she sat in the living room, scrolling through magazines. “Thank you very much, Mr. Langston. Would you like a cup of water? Juice?” she asked.“Water will be fine. Daddy doesn't like juice,” Lily replied on Micheal's behalf. “They are in charge,” Micheal gestured helplessly, which made Yvonne smile softly."Water it is, then,” Yvonne said, and they all walked back into the living room.Out of excitement, the kids suggested they watch a cartoon. Micheal was used to this routine, but it was a trigger for Yvonne, who had once purchased so many different types of car
In less than two hours, the children were fast asleep.Yvonne gestured to Micheal, asking him to help take the kids to her bedroom, but he shook his head and typed something on her phone.*"15 more minutes before you can move them, or they will wake up,"* read the message.When Yvonne saw the text, she nodded in agreement and continued to hold the kids close to her. Before the 15-minute mark, she had fallen asleep as well.Micheal was transfixed by the sight. Jack sat nestled against Yvonne, his head resting on her chest where it met Lily's head, which was nestled in between Yvonne's spread thighs. Yvonne held both children protectively, even as her head slumped back.He couldn’t resist capturing the moment. He held up his phone and took a picture of the scene. The sudden click of the camera jolted Yvonne awake, but thankfully, her first instinct was to check on Lily and Jack to make sure they were alright. This gave Micheal the chance to quickly put his phone away.Yvonne’s half-clos
Micheal had been so engrossed in his work that he hadn't noticed the movements coming from Yvonne's room. She had woken up in the middle of the night, realizing she was still wearing the outfit from the dinner meeting. After changing into her pajamas, Yvonne searched for something more comfortable for the twins but found nothing suitable. Instead, she loosened their outfits to keep them as comfortable as possible. Her thoughts then drifted to Micheal, wondering how he was doing. It was strange having a man in her home who wasn't David, but she wasn't bothered by it. Micheal gave her a sense of assurance that he would never overstep his boundaries or cause problems for her, which was exactly what Yvonne needed as she navigated her new relationship with his kids.Expecting to see Micheal asleep on the couch, Yvonne was surprised to find him fully focused on his laptop screen. She approached him cautiously, stopping at a respectful distance before gaining his attention.Micheal closed
Yvonne’s hand froze on the ignition. Her heart pounded as the weight of her decision pressed down on her chest.Her children. Her children.Tears welled up again, spilling freely down her cheeks as she whispered the words aloud. "Jack… Lily…" They were hers. Her babies.Her chest tightened as the flood of memories crashed over her—Lily’s shy hugs, Jack’s mischievous grin. Every laugh, every tender moment—it had all been with her children, her flesh and blood.But instead of joy, a torrent of anguish poured over her. She couldn’t feel happy. Not now. Not when the truth was tangled in betrayal and cruelty. Not when Micheal, the man she had trusted, had stolen everything from her.Her hand gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. What if she was wrong? What if leaving was a mistake?But staying felt impossible too. She was suffocating, torn between her love for the children and the hatred she felt for the man who had kept them from her. The man she believed to have bui
The world outside blurred into streaks of light and shadow as Yvonne drove aimlessly. Her grip on the steering wheel was shaky, her breaths shallow and erratic. The tears didn’t stop, flowing freely down her face as her mind replayed David’s words in agonizing detail."Micheal forced himself on you."She shook her head violently, as though the motion could dislodge the thought. But it clung to her, suffocating her like a shroud.No, it can’t be true. It can’t.Yet the pieces fit too perfectly. The sudden changes in David’s behavior five years ago—the distance, the helplessness he tried to mask with anger. The way he avoided certain conversations, especially when it came to the night she had woken up disoriented, with fragmented memories and an overwhelming sense of loss.Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel as a fresh wave of grief crashed over her. The ache in her chest grew unbearable, her sobs choking her until she could barely see the road ahead.She barely noticed the red
One of the receptionists cast a quick glance over her shoulder as Yvonne stood firm at the desk, her gaze unwavering despite the exhaustion she tried to hide. The woman then slipped quietly away, her steps soft on the polished floor, and made her way to a secluded corridor.In hushed tones, she called Sandra, Micheal’s assistant. “Miss Sandra, I thought you should know— the CEO’s wife is here. She’s at the reception, waiting.”Sandra, perched at her desk with a neatly organized tablet, raised an eyebrow. “Mrs Yvonne? Here?” she asked, her surprise evident. “That doesn’t make sense. The CEO left earlier. Are you sure?”“Yes, ma’am. She’s here, and she looks... determined.”Sandra ended the call abruptly, already rising from her seat. As she grabbed her phone, she dialed Micheal’s number, her heels clicking sharply against the tiles as she headed toward the reception.---Meanwhile, on another floor...David’s office phone rang, the shrill tone interrupting his thoughts. He frowned, pic
Yvonne’s grip on the steering wheel tightened as she drove, her thoughts tumbling over one another in a chaotic spiral. Rebecca’s words echoed relentlessly in her mind, each revelation a fresh jab at her sanity. Her mother-in-law’s scheming mentality, the involvement of Sammy, and Rebecca’s initial role in the plot — it was too much to bear.Her stomach churned violently, nausea clawing at her insides. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead as she struggled to maintain her composure. She took a shaky breath, but the bile rising in her throat was impossible to suppress.Spotting an empty stretch of road, Yvonne veered her car to the side and flung the door open. She leaned out just in time as her stomach revolted, expelling everything inside. Her body trembled as the wave of nausea subsided, leaving her weak and disoriented. She sat there for a moment, head resting against the steering wheel, trying to steady her ragged breathing."You fool! You idiot!" she muttered through gritted teeth,
The soft chime of his phone disrupted Micheal’s focus. He glanced at the screen, his brow furrowing as he read the message from one of the guards stationed at home:Something happened between Rebecca and Yvonne. She doesn’t look well.Micheal’s grip on the phone tightened, his jaw clenching. A wave of unease washed over him, and he leaned back in his chair, staring at the text. Had he made a mistake? She could still recall Yvonne’s fear from the previous night.He had allowed Yvonne to have her way, insisting Rebecca should be given a chance to integrate into their lives for the children’s sake. Micheal had been reluctant, sensing the complexities of Rebecca’s intentions, but Yvonne’s kindhearted nature had won out.Now, he wondered if his trust had been misplaced.Without wasting another moment, he dialed the guard’s number. The line clicked, and the guard answered immediately.“What happened?” Micheal’s tone was sharp, leaving no room for ambiguity.The guard hesitated briefly. “Sir
The weight of Rebecca’s revelation hung heavily in the air, leaving Yvonne utterly speechless.Her mind swirled with questions, each one louder than the last. What baffled her most was the audacity of Rebecca’s confession. Why would she admit this so confidently? Did she not realize that Yvonne held the power to banish her from their lives entirely?Yvonne’s lips parted, a shaky breath escaping as she tried to gather her thoughts. Finally, she managed to stammer, “What are... are you saying?” Her voice trembled, her wide eyes searching Rebecca’s face for clarity.Rebecca exhaled deeply, her gaze flicking toward the kitchen door as if she expected someone to burst in. “It’s a long story,” she murmured, her tone steady but tinged with weariness. “And it’s not fair to keep the kids waiting.”Her eyes returned to Yvonne, filled with an unexpected vulnerability. “I told you this because I can’t do it anymore, Yvonne. I can’t laugh with the children, play the part of their loving aunt, know
The sunlight streaming through the curtains felt warmer than usual, but Yvonne barely noticed it. The house was silent except for the soft padding of her feet down the hallway. Micheal was already gone for work—something he always did on the mornings Rebecca visited. It wasn’t a coincidence, Yvonne knew that much. He loathed being around Rebecca, but his absence meant Yvonne had to deal with her. Today was one of the days Rebecca will come to their house. Yvonne reached the twins’ room, her frustration tempered by the sight of Jack and Lily sleeping soundly. She knelt beside Lily, brushing a stray curl from her face. “Good morning, sweetheart,” she whispered, kissing her temple. Lily stirred, her eyes fluttering open as a small smile stretched across her lips. “Good morning, Mommy.” Jack woke up next, rubbing his eyes groggily. Yvonne pulled him into a brief hug, pressing a kiss to his forehead before helping them both out of bed. She guided them to the bathroom, assisting them a
Yvonne woke up the next morning, her mind tangled with remnants of last night’s conversation with Micheal. She lay still, watching the sunlight filter through the curtains, trying to convince herself that all was well. Micheal’s words had been so reassuring, yet a flicker of doubt still tugged at her. She thought of Rebecca’s presence in their lives. Was it truly harmless, as Micheal had suggested, or was there something more beneath her growing closeness to the kids? Micheal’s confidence had left her feeling comforted, yet it didn’t fully quiet the lingering worry that Rebecca’s bond with Jack and Lily might, over time, change things in ways she hadn’t anticipated. With a sigh, Yvonne reached for her phone. Maybe I’m overthinking this, she thought, dialing Amy’s number. Amy always had a way of seeing things clearly, and even if it was a small thing, Yvonne needed her perspective. Amy picked up after the second ring, her voice warm. “Good morning, Yvonne! You’re up early.” Yvonne g
After spending 20 more minutes to honor Amy, Micheal was signaling to Yvonne that it is time to leave, which Amy caught and teased him with.However she understood that they lived far from her place. If they wait till her husband returns home, they will have to travel late into the night.The family of four bid their farewell and soon they arrived at home.When it was finally time for bed, Yvonne tucked the twins in, their sleepy faces lighting up at her presence. She kissed each of them goodnight, lingering a little longer with Jack, who whispered, “Are you going to tell us more stories tomorrow?”“Of course,” Yvonne replied softly, her heart aching. She turned off the light and closed the door behind her, taking a deep breath to steady herself.Once the children were settled, she joined Micheal in their room. The atmosphere was calm, but Yvonne couldn’t shake her worries. She could feel the tension still lingering between them, and Micheal sensed it too.“Yvonne,” he said softly, mo