Novel-novel oleh Beth

BRADFORD'S POV I stepped out of the elevator, my mind already rehearsing what I was going to say to Lynette, on how I was going to make this right and get rid of whatever seed of doubt she might’ve had. But I barely made it two steps before I stopped in my tracks when I saw my father walking into the lobby. He was dressed in his usual tailored suit, his silver hair perfectly combed, his hands clasped behind his back. He looked like he owned the building. Which, technically, he did. I exhaled and walked slowly to meet up with him. “Father,” I said carefully, trying to hide my uneasiness. “What're you doing here? You didn't tell me you were coming.” "Well, you wouldn't come to see me, so I decided to come to you," he responded, his voice was calm and measured, like the voice of a man who was used to getting what he wanted. I rubbed the back of my head, closing my eyes briefly. ‘Oh, right. I've forgotten about that.’ "You've been avoiding my calls, giving me excuses about work."

BRADFORD'S POVThe machines were beeping softly in their steady rhythm filling the quiet room.Rachel lay still in the hospital bed, her face was pale against the white pillow. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was shallow. She looked smaller, and more fragile than last week.My heart broke at the sight, and it was more painful cause I could no longer do anything to save her."She had a rough night, but she's stable now," the doctor said beside me in a low, professional tone, "and that's all we can offer at this point.”“Her body is shutting down slowly. There's nothing more we can do now…than to keep her comfortable."My chest tightened at those words even though it wasn't the first time hearing them.I didn't say anything, I just nodded slowly in understanding.Benedict stood close to the window with his arms crossed over his chest. He was quiet for once.“I'm so sorry,” the doctor whispered, then he walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.I stood still for

LYNETTE'S POVI was standing by the window with my arms folded loosely across my chest, staring out at the city below.The glass was cool against my forehead yet it did nothing to calm my mind that wouldn't stop spinning since the conversation with Nicholas last night.For once in my life, I felt…stuck.Thinking about Nicholas, Bradford, the baby, and Gabrielle's words…everything was tangled together in my head, pulling me in different directions, and I wasn't sure which to go.‘Say yes to Nicholas, stay away from Bradford, focus on the perfect family you've always wanted.’But every time I thought about Bradford, my heart ached. Every time I thought about Nicholas, about the baby I was lying to him about, and he wants to take responsibility for, my guilt crept in, making the weight of it all feel too heavy on my chest.I had no idea what I was going to do.A soft knock came at the door interrupting my thoughts, but I didn't bother to turn around. "Come in."The door opened quietly,

LYNETTE'S POVI knocked on Gabrielle's door before I could change my mind.The door swung open a few minutes later. Gabrielle stood there, still in her robe, and her hair a little messy from sleep. Her eyes widened when she saw me.“Morning.”"Lynette?" She blinked rapidly. "What–what are you doing here? It's…" she glanced at the wall clock behind her inside. "It's not even seven yet.” She sounded more surprised than I expected.Then she moved aside for me to come in."I know," I said quietly and stepped inside, lingering near the door for a moment. "I just…I needed to talk to you.""Is…everything okay?" She inquired carefully, still staring at me like I'd grown a second head."Yes.” Then I shook my head as if countering myself, “No. I don't really know. That's why I'm here." I slowly walked to the couch and lowered myself on it.Gabrielle closed the door and came to take her seat across from me, pulling her robe tighter around her as though she was bracing herself for the unknown."

BRADFORDS POV The moment I opened the door, my brows pulled together in confusion when I saw that the lights were on. I froze and stopped just inside the doorway, my hand still on the door handle. I was sure I turned them off before leaving this morning. I tilted my head and mumbled quietly. “Or didn't I?” Then I heard a rustling sound followed by the soft click of a plate from the dining area. My eyes widened a little. ‘Someone's in my apartment?’ I gritted my teeth, then started to move very quietly, carefully. My fingers found the knot of my tie and pulled it loose. I slid it off slowly and held it in both of my hands, ready for whoever it was that had the guts to break into my apartment. I rounded the corner, and my hands slowly dropped when I saw my chaos of a best friend sitting at the head of my dining table with his feet up on the chair next to him, and a slice of pizza in his hand. My pizza, from my fridge of course. I raised my brows, staring at him in both s

LYNETTE'S POVI lay on my side in the softly lit bedroom, staring at my phone on the nightstand, waiting for it to light up with a call from Bradford, or even just a text.Regardless of what I told myself earlier, a small part of me was still hoping I was wrong, and that I at least meant something to him.So each time my phone buzzed with a call or text notification, I thought it'd be from him. But it'd been hours now since he told me he'd call me later, yet nothing at all.I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling.My hand slowly moved up, tracing my lips as the kiss replayed in my head again.The way his warm hands cupped my face, his soft lips on mine, the way everything else seemed to disappear at that moment…it's just so fucking hard to forget about him.But who on earth was this woman that always had him running?I still had no answer to the question, and that made it all more frustrating.I closed my eyes and rubbed my temple, trying to suppress the throbbing pain in my

ZOE’S POV I woke up with my heart full and a soft smile on my face. My entire body could feel how important today is. It still feels surreal. I lay there for a moment, listening to the hum of the AC, the birds outside and the calm breathing beside me. Owen stirred and turned slightly toward me. “She’s one,” I whispered, almost afraid to say it out loud. “I can’t believe Ava is one today.” His eyes opened slowly, still heavy with sleep but when he smiled, it was warm. He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “After everything, the fear of losing the pregnancy, her arriving too early, the moment the doctors were trying to get her to breathe, the weeks she had to stay in the NICU.” “Now she is here. Growing stronger every day.” I said softly. “She’ll keep growing,” Owen said quietly, “Healthier. Even more perfect. She’s our little miracle.” “Yes,” I said, smiling as my chest filled. “She is.” He pulled me closer and kissed me softly, then loud knocking broke the moment. “Mom! Dad!

CHLOE'S POV Zoe’s voice came through the phone,“How’s school?” she asked.I smiled and rested on the kitchen counter. “Good. It's a lot of work, but good. I’m surviving.”She laughed softly. “How's Jamie and Ava? I asked. “They're fine,” Zoe said. “Jamie is at Austin's. He kept asking if you’re coming for Ava's birthday next weekend. He said he hasn’t seen you in a long time.”I paused.“Chloe,” she said gently, “are you still planning to come? Or… you’re not comfortable coming back yet?”I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed in. “I haven’t even held her yet,” I said. “I wouldn’t miss Ava’s first birthday for anything. I’ll be there.”Zoe sounded relieved. “I'm happy to hear that. I’ll tell Jamie. We’ll be expecting you.”Just then, Liam entered the room, he started to ask about dinner and I quickly motioned for him to be quiet.Zoe heard it anyway.“Are you with someone?” she asked.My throat felt that. “Just… a course mate,” I said quietly.She hesitated. “Okay,” Zoe said,

OWEN'S POV Zoe stayed quiet through most of the flight.Now she brushed Ava’s back again and again.I closed my laptop and turned to her. “Hey,” I said softly. “You can breathe, you know.”She smiled weakly. “I am breathing.”“Barely.”She exhaled slowly and looked at Ava sleeping in her arms. “I’m just… worried.”I already knew about what. Still, I asked, “About my father?”She nodded. “Owen, what if he won't accept me?” Her voice dropped. “He refused to come to our wedding. What if nothing’s changed?”I squeezed her hand lightly. “A lot has changed,” I said. “Time has passed. And Ava’s here now.”“That doesn’t make it certain.”“He hasn’t met you,” I said firmly. “That’s the problem. He made his decision without knowing you. But once he meets you, gets to know you, he’ll love you.”Zoe looked at me, clearly uncertain. “Are you sure?”I smiled and spoke softly. “Of course I’m sure. You’re beautiful. You’re smart. And you’re holding the most beautiful girl in the world.” I leaned clo

OWEN'S POV It was late in the morning, I sat on the couch with my laptop open, finishing some work but my mind wasn’t on it. It was on Zoe. She sat beside me with a book resting on her belly. She turned the pages slowly. She looked peaceful. Strong. Like the past months had finally been kind to her. Things had been going well for months. That should’ve been enough to calm me. But I kept watching her. She shifted, then stood up slowly. She paused halfway up. She touched her belly and closed her eyes. I got up at once. “Zoe,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “Are you okay?” She looked at me and smiled softly, “I’m fine,” she said. “Braxton Hicks. This happens now.” I nodded but my chest still felt tight. “You sure? Or should we go to the hospital? Just to be safe.” She shook her head softly. “It’s still early. The doctor said this could happen. I promise, I’m okay.” I wanted to insist. But I let it go, since she sounded sure and I didn’t want every moment to be full of fear.

OWEN'S POVComing back to Sydney should have felt like relief.The island was beautiful. The rest of our honeymoon was smooth and peaceful. The kind of peace that makes you forget everything else.But that kind of peace doesn't last. I’d learned that already. It shatters the moment you start believing it will last.Zoe moved more easily now. She walked through the house with steady steps, her shoulders relaxed and her face brighter than before.We were unpacking. I paused and stared at her.She smiled when she noticed I was staring.“I’m fine,” she looked at me and said.She seemed fine, so I wanted to believe that. But I couldn’t fully relax. Not until the baby is born.“I know.” I said softly.*******************Austin brought Jamie later in the day.As soon as Jamie saw Zoe, he ran to her and hugged her tightly.“I missed you so much,” Zoe whispered into his hair.“I missed you too, Mommy.” Jamie said.“Are you okay now?” he asked and moved back to look at her face. “You're not s

OWEN’S POVI felt the bed shift beside me. I thought it was just Zoe turning in her sleep. Then I heard my name, very softly.“Owen…”There was something in her voice that woke me up instantly.I sat up and faced her. She stood at the edge of the bed, holding the sheets with one hand and the other on her stomach.Her face was pale and she looked scared.“What is it?” I asked as I climbed out of bed.She didn’t respond immediately. She looked down.That’s when I saw it.Blood.Running down her leg.My heart seemed to stop for a moment.Fear hit me hard, but I didn’t show it. I couldn’t. Zoe was already panicking, I had to stay calm.“I’m here,” I said quickly as I moved toward her. I put my arms around her to keep her standing. “Hey. Look at me. Breathe.”She started crying, holding onto my shirt.“I don’t want to lose the baby,” she cried. “I can’t lose our baby, Owen.”“You won't,” I said firmly, even though my heart ached. “You won't lose anything. You're both going to be fine.”I