Sienna couldn't find sleep, no matter how hard she tried. Tossing and turning on her bed, she stared at the dark ceiling, unable to sleep. It was past midnight, but her mind refused to rest. Memories of five years ago haunted her, blending with the confusion of her current situation. How could Alexander Skarsgard still have such a hold on her after all this time? She had tried, really tried, to keep him out of her heart. From their middle school days to high school and even university, Sienna fought the feelings she had for him. She had even dated other guys, hoping someone would replace him in her mind, but Alexander remained—a constant, unwanted presence. No matter what she did, he was always there, an impossible shadow she couldn't shake.The last five years had been different. She had finally managed to build a life where he didn't exist, and she was fine—until he showed up again. His sudden reappearance disrupted everything. Her heart, which had been steady for so long, began to
Sienna grabbed an umbrella and stepped outside. Through the curtain of rain, she saw Alexander standing in the downpour, drenched from head to toe. His hair clung to his face, and he was visibly shivering. A surge of frustration ran through her. Why was he always so determined to make things difficult? She knew this wouldn't be resolved in a single day.With a heavy sigh, she walked up to him. Instead of the familiar way she used to hold his hands years ago, she grabbed him by the ears, dragging him toward the house like a misbehaving child. His entire body trembled as though he were a sick lamb.“Are you out of your mind? You’re thirty years old! Act like it, stop behaving like a child,” she scolded, shaking her head in disbelief.His teeth chattered as he stammered through his reply. “O-our…our son will wake up if you keep shouting.”Sienna groaned in frustration, running a hand through her dampened hair. Her fingers twitched, and for a moment, she almost wished she could strangle h
Sienna gently patted him until she felt his grip on her loosen slightly. When she shifted to sit up properly, his eyes fluttered open, confirming that she wasn’t a figment of his dream. She was actually there. Sitting upright, Alexander reached out, cupping her cheeks in disbelief.“Is this really you, Anne?” he asked softly. But she responded by slapping his hands away, her expression stern. He chuckled, ignoring her reaction, and pulled her into a warm embrace.“You’re running a fever,” she remarked, her voice devoid of sympathy.“How did you even find my place?” he questioned, a mix of surprise and curiosity in his tone. He hadn't expected her to show up unannounced. But Sienna, unwilling to engage in his questions, pushed herself away and stood up, as if preparing to leave.“If my presence is such a surprise, maybe I should just leave,” she replied with a roll of her eyes, taking a step toward the door. But before she could take another step, he quickly grabbed her arm, stopping h
Jayson exited the office, feeling a growing sense of anticipation. His destination was the restaurant where Sienna worked, and he had plans to surprise her with an evening out together, something they hadn’t done in a long time. His work had consumed most of his time lately, but tonight was meant to be different. When he arrived, confusion filled his mind as he spotted Michael locking the restaurant’s doors. It was only 6 p.m., far too early for the place to be closing. Furrowing his brow, Jayson approached Michael.“Hey, Michael,” Jayson greeted as he reached him. “Where’s Sienna?”Michael hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. He recalled someone arriving earlier and telling Sienna to check on someone who was ill. After a brief pause, Michael explained, “Someone came by earlier, said someone was sick. Ma'am Sienna left to check on them, and she asked me to close up the restaurant.”Jayson nodded thoughtfully. Though the explanation was plausible, an unsettling feeli
“Do best friends kiss each other?” he asked suddenly, catching her off guard. Sienna blinked, startled by his innocent but pointed question..She wasn't prepared for such a conversation, especially not with her five-year-old. For a moment, she tried to deflect with a brief laugh, unsure of how to respond. "What do you mean by kiss?" she asked, hoping to buy some time.Emilio frowned slightly, his curiosity unrelenting. "Well, you've never kissed Dad. Does that mean you don't like him and like your best friend instead?" His question was simple, but it hit Sienna with the force of a wave. She wasn’t ready to explain the complexities of her past relationships, especially not now.Gently stroking his hair, Sienna attempted to change the subject. "Baby, it's late. You should get some sleep, okay? You need to be ready for school tomorrow.""But tomorrow is Saturday," Emilio reminded her, his innocent persistence making her smile tighten."Right," she said, forcing a chuckle, but she could s
Without breaking the eye contact, she used her other hand to gently pry his hand away. " I'm sorry, I can't" she whispered, her voice filled with resolve. Sienna made a conscious decision to ignore Alexander this time. Her loyalty belonged to Jayson, the person who had been there for her when she had no one else. Now, he needed her, and there was no way she would stay behind just to please Alexander. She gently took her son's hand and led him out of the house without looking back. As they left, Emilio waved at Alexander, who forced a smile in return. Alexander watched them go, feeling a sense of emptiness as Sienna left without even asking if he could drop her off. He sank into his couch, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. He had been enjoying Sienna's company again, allowing himself to foolishly hope that they might return to how things used to be. But deep down, he knew he was being selfish for wanting that. Outside, Sienna’s thoughts were a whirlwind of worry and guilt. Why had
The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room as Sienna made a difficult decision. She knew staying beside Jayson tonight wouldn’t hurt—after all, he had always been there for her during her darkest times. She hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on him, wondering what kind of pain he was hiding. But the question would have to wait until tomorrow. She smiled gently, and nodded. Instead of retreating to another room, she carefully settled on the bed next to Jayson, pulling her son close between them. The warmth of their presence surrounded her, offering a sense of comfort and safety.Jayson couldn’t help but smile when he realized Sienna was sharing the same bed with him. To him, it felt as if they were already married. A wishful thought crept into his mind—what if this wasn’t the last time they slept together? Should he feign sickness occasionally to get more of her attention? Yet, he quickly dismissed the idea, knowing she might not always h
Alexander inhaled deeply, his breath shaky as he prepared to face what he had come for. He had troubled Marianne enough already; his constant presence in her life might be suffocating her, and he could feel the strain it was causing him as well. Perhaps giving her some space would also ease his pain, though he wasn't sure if he could actually let go.After getting what he came for, he headed towards his car, the weight of his emotions pressed heavily on him, making every step toward the car feel like an uphill climb. He briefly stopped walking as he met someone he wasn't familiar with resting casually on his car. He started to walk again to his car, attempting to enter when the person spoke up.“It must be hard” the person remarked. Already in a sour mood, Alexander chose to ignore the comment, slipping into his car and driving away without a word. Watching him leave, Vincent chuckled, clearly entertained by Alexander’s reaction.“He hasn’t changed at all,” Vincent murmured to himself
Charlotte left Jake’s place that morning, her mind already set on collecting her belongings. Not that she’d be moving in with Jake...no, Grandma Emma had graciously offered her one of her mansions to stay in until the case with her mother was resolved. Charlotte had been overwhelmed with gratitude, thanking Emma profusely for her kindness. Jake had offered to accompany her, but she declined. "You’re expecting Alexander, remember? It wouldn’t be nice if he came by and found the house empty," she reminded him. Still, Jake had made her promise to be careful. She assured him she would. Now, as she sat in the cab, her head rested against the window, lost in thought. The city blurred past, but her mind was miles away. She knew her family loved her dearly...there was no question of that...but her mother… Her mother would be a whole different story. To her, Charlotte was still a baby, and the idea of her own baby carrying another child would be a shock. "I hope Mom doesn’t scold me,"
The next morning, ringing phones jolted Michael and Dylan awake. Both groaned in unison, fumbling clumsily for their devices. "You’ve got a couple’s shoot. Get your asses out of bed and be here in less than ten minutes," barked Josh, Michael’s manager, on the other end of the line. At the same time, Dylan’s father, Mr. Smith, was giving a similarly stern order. Lowering their phones, Dylan flopped back onto the bed while Michael came on top, straddling him. "We should hurry," Michael said, leaning closer, but Dylan, still half-asleep, shook his head. "What about a round after the photoshoot?" Michael teased with a playful smirk. Dylan cracked an eye open. "You're just gonna back out later, so, no, It’s not going to work," he muttered groggily. Michael chuckled. "You’re awake now, though." He pulled back, leaving Dylan’s side with a giggle. "Time to get busy." Reluctantly, Dylan sat up, grumbling, "Can’t believe we slept at five a.m. only to be up by seven. That’s barely
Jayson chuckled darkly at Elena’s words, his eyes sharp and calculating. He didn’t bother to argue as she circled him like a predator. Her confidence amused him. If only she realized how dangerous it was to toy with him. "You said you had a video of Sophia’s death," he said, his voice calm, almost bored. Elena laughed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I don’t," she admitted with a smirk. "But I was a witness. I even know where you dumped her body. I thought about bringing it up as proof, but I don’t need to… not yet. That’s why you’re still safe." She paused, her eyes locking with his. "What if we partner up? You get Anne, and I get Alex. Simple as that." In a flash, Jayson grabbed her by the neck, slamming her against the wall. His eyes burned with a cold fire, his grip firm around her neck while her eyes widen in surprise."I wouldn’t push your luck," he growled. Elena laughed softly, unafraid, even as his hand tightened. Her defiance only stirred his temper further, but
Jake had been watching Charlotte closely, his concern growing as she sat silently, her emotions hidden behind a blank expression. He finally pulled her gently onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her. "Talk to me," he murmured, his voice almost inaudible. "What’s wrong?" Charlotte sighed deeply, inhaling his scent before speaking in a low voice. "I got into an argument with Vincent." Jake raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Why? What happened?" She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "He’s mad at me. And he’s blaming you, too." "Blaming me?" Jake asked, turning her slightly so he could see her face. "Did I do something wrong?" Her eyes welled with tears as she looked up at him, her lower lip trembling. Jake frowned in confusion. "Hey, talk to me…" He paused, his tone playful as he tried to ease her tension. "Wait...are you pregnant?" Charlotte sniffled like a child, and Jake chuckled softly. "Will you get mad if I say you’re acting like a kid right now?"
Charlotte returned to the sitting room, her face pale and her steps unsteady. She looked up to see Vincent standing in the middle of the sitting room, arms crossed, with Romeo and Kingsley flanking him on either side like bodyguard. Their gazes followed her like a spotlight, waiting, questioning. "What happened to you?" Vincent asked, taking a few steps forward, his eyes narrowing. Charlotte avoided his gaze, brushing past him as if he hadn’t spoken. "Hey, I just asked you a question!" he repeated, louder this time. "Nothing… I’m fine," she muttered, waving him off as she headed for her room. Vincent’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist before she could escape. His grip was firm but careful not to hurt her. "Not so fast. I need to know what’s wrong before I kill someone," he said through gritted teeth, his concern masked by his sharp tone. "You’re coming with me to the hospital."Charlotte groaned, yanking her arm but Vincent grip was form. "I’m not going anywhere. Let me g
"Bingo!" he whispered, his voice low and smooth. He tilted his head, one brow raised as he winked playfully.Jayson’s smirk deepened as the figure before him froze, the sound of his phone’s ringtone still lingering in the air. The person lowered their phone slowly, the movement deliberate, hesitant, as if hoping for some miraculous escape. Jayson stepped forward, closing the space between them with measured strides. His eyes never wavered, glinting with some kind of coldness. "Surprised?" he asked softly, his voice filled with quiet confidence. The figure remained silent, their hood shadowing most of their features. Jayson tilted his head, observing them with predatory calm. He felt the rush of victory tingling at his fingertips, but something gnawed at the edge of his thoughts...Was this too easy?"You’ve been having fun with your little messages," Jayson began, his voice smooth. "I admire the effort. Really, I do. But you made one mistake."He raised his phone slightly. "You und
Jayson turned away from the bathroom without a second thought, his feet moving with quiet precision. He strode down the hall and entered a room tucked away at the end. The door clicked shut behind him as he stepped into the darkness. He didn’t bother switching on the lights... the familiarity of the space were enough. He moved to the desk, settling into the chair like a man who had done this many times before. His fingers brushed the cool surface of the keyboard as he retrieved his phone. With practiced ease, he connected it to the computer. The screen hummed to life, and the faint blue light cast shadows across his face. Jayson leaned forward, his eyes sharp, focused. His jaw clenched as he opened the message again. The words still lingered, daring him to react."Are you going to turn yourself in, or are you giving me the pleasure of doing it?"A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. He wasn’t amused...no, this was something darker, a satisfaction born from the thrill of a cha
Jayson forced a small smile, but the irritation in his eyes betrayed him. He moved to a seat, leaned back in it, and crossed his arms as he watched Marianne move around the place with calm ease. His silence didn’t last long. "Are you afraid of me now?" he asked, his voice low.Marianne paused briefly, giving him a curious glance before returning her attention to the tray of food she was setting on the table."Why would I be afraid of you?" she replied with a shrug. "I’m still the same Marianne who’s spent countless nights here. Nothing’s changed." Alexander, standing near the window scoffed loudly. He turned to face Jayson with a pointed glare. "She’s not your maid, you know. You could try showing a little appreciation. It’s hard enough watching her act like one without so much as a thank you." Jayson’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t rise to Alexander’s bait. Instead, he met his gaze with thinly veiled irritation. "If you weren’t here, she’d be with me," he muttered under his brea
"I don’t know who you are, but if you think you can outplay me, watch your back, you’re mistaken. I'll find you if I want and send you to hell."He hit send without hesitation, his words simmered with a threat, but it wasn’t fear that coursed through him...it was amusement. He ran a hand through his hair, the corners of his mouth lifting into a dangerous smirk. A moment later, his phone vibrated in his hand. A reply came in from the unknown."I dare you."The response made his smirk grew to an even widen grin...one filled with dark amusement. He chuckled under his breath, a low, dangerous sound that built into a full laugh. He didn’t just find the message entertaining; he found it pathetic."Is that all you’ve got?" he whispered to the empty room. His laugh echoed off the walls as he ran a hand through his hair, tossing the phone onto the desk like it was no more than a toy. His eyes gleamed with something far more dangerous than mere anger. This wasn’t a game to him. What if someo