Novel-novel oleh ABY

Olivia's POVI stood in the kitchen sipping my morning coffee. The sun was shining through the windows into the kitchen area.Wow! I can't believe how time has flew by. My babies were soon going to be five years old. Today was going to be thier first day in creche. They weren't still my babies, but weren't so little anymore.No more diaper changing, burning and cradling to sleep. They were little humans with their own personalities and preferences now."Mommy! Look at my backpack!" Sophia shouted, bursting into the kitchen. She twirled around, showing me her backpack with it's unicorn on it.Her hair was packed with colourful ribbons into pigtails. She was excited, her body vibrating.She had my eyes and nose but that was were the similarities ended, she was Xander's carbon copy."It's perfect, sweetie," I said, kneeling down to hug her. "You look so grown up."Alexander dragged his own backpack into the kitchen. His face all grumpy as his dark hair fell into his eyes ."Mine's way

Xander's POVThe doors of the hospital shut behind us as we stepped into the hot afternoon air. We've just being cleared to go home by Dr. Ramirez. Olivia held Sophia wrapped in a fluffy blanket, while I held Alexander as we made our way towards the car. Ethan was behind us, pushing a stroller that was stacked with bags and other things we brought to the hospital. "Easy there, Liv," I said softly, helping her gently into the car. She still looked beautiful as always even though they was exhaustion on her face.The twins kept us all night with their cries.Who knew babies could have such a strong vocal cord.Them not crying now was a small victory. And please they should be like that till we got home.Ethan quickly assembled the babies chairs, double checking if it was properly placed. "I've got the babies secure. Let's get out of here before they decide to throw a concert again."I chuckled, starting the engine. "Thanks, man. We couldn't do this without you."As we pulled into our d

Olivia's POVThe delivery room faded behind us as I was being moved to a normal hospital ward. The new room was bigger and so spacious. It had a window overlooking the city, the city lights mixing with the bright lights in the room. The twins were still in my arms screaming their lungs out. They hadn't stopped crying since the nurses cleaned them out. I was gently placed on the bed in the room, the babies placed in a crib at my beside.Xander still held my hand as if he was afraid of letting go. His eyes were red rimmed even know he had a big smile on his face. "You did it, Liv," he whispered, leaning down to kiss my forehead. "You're amazing. Look at our babies, they're perfect."I smiled weakly, too exhausted to say much. "They are. Our little miracles."The nurses bustled about checking my IV fluid and the heart monitor I was connected to. One kind nurses took the babies from the crib, for weighing them and doing extra checkups. "Mom needs a bit of rest now," she said softly.

Olivia's POVThe bay shower wrapped up hours ago. The backyard was still littered with confetti and ribbons. Maya was here with us but have to leave because she had a shift at the hospital. I couldn't believe we were having a boy and girl. The perfect bunch. We were currently in the kitchen with me standing by the counter yapping away as Ethan and Xander cleaned up. Xander was scrubbing the sink tat was littered with spilled food and liquids. Ethan loaded the dishwasher with the dirty dishes. "Mom, you sure you don't want to sit down?" Ethan asked, glancing over his shoulder. "You've been on your feet all day."I waved him off with a smile. "I'm fine. The standing helps with the swelling. Besides I want to stay with you two."Xander turned, drying his wet hands on a towel. "Babe, listen to Ethan. Go to the living room and put your feet up. When I'm done here I'll come give you a massage."The men in my life was so protective. I wanted to protest but I knew it wouldn't nudge Xande

Olivia's PovMy mind still spun from Dr. Ramirez words. “Mrs. Olivia, you're having twins." I couldn't believe I had two little humans in my belly. It was unbelievable. My stomach felt bigger than it already was. Xander was way too excited about this outcome. He was practically vibrating as he sat behind the wheel."Oh my God, Liv," his voice filled with glee. "Twins. We're having two whole babies."I pushed the car seat backwards to settle properly. I felt bigger than usual. "I know. It's... overwhelming. But good kind of overwhelming, right?"He grinned, that big, goofy smile that made me melt into a puddle. "The best kind. I can't wait to tell Ethan. He's gonna freak out."And freak out he did. When we got home and broke the news to him, his eyes widened. He looked from me, my stomach and Xander's face. "Twins? For real? Mom, you're carrying two mini-mes in there?"I laughed, entering his arms he spread open for a hug. "Not mini-yous, you fucker. But yeah, twins."He stepped b

Olivia's POVThe days after the sacred we had blurred together. Also, that incident with Ethan storming into the hospital room to puch Xander in the face. After that day, he incident he moved in with us until I gave birth. Which was ridiculous but he insisted. I tried talking him out of it but he wouldn't budge, saying. "Mom, I'm not leaving you alone with this guy," he'd said, half-joking, half-serious, shooting Xander a glare.Xander took it well, his face still red from the pinch. "Fair enough, man. I deserved that one." The bruise on Xander's handsome face faded faster. The one of my stomach took a lot of time, still hurting and changing colors every now and then.Ethan and Xander reconciled not long after, apologizing to each other. Ethan sating he was an asshole and he acted irrational. They hugged and it made my heart warm seeing them that way.With Ethan around the house, the place felt more refreshing. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband but it was different having anoth

Ariana’s POVFive years later.The villa looks different now — warmer, fuller, lived in. Flowers climb the stone walls, laughter spills from the garden, and the faint scent of cinnamon and sea salt lingers in the air.It doesn’t feel like a fortress anymore. It feels like home.I’m sitting on the porch swing, a book half-forgotten in my lap, when the sound of running feet pulls me from my thoughts.“Mommy!”I barely have time to look up before Elio barrels toward me, curls bouncing, eyes bright. He’s five now — wild, fearless, and every bit his father’s son.“Slow down, baby!” I call, but he’s already leaping into my arms.He giggles as I catch him, breathless and full of sunshine. “Daddy said we can go to the beach!”I smile. “Did he now?”“Uh-huh!” He nods fiercely. “He said if you say yes.”Behind him, Damian appears — older maybe, but somehow softer. His hair is a little longer, his smile a little easier. He’s holding a picnic basket and shaking his head fondly.“You always sell m

Damien's Pov My wedding dress hangs near the window, white silk, simple but elegant, nothing like the extravagant one from our first wedding. That one had been a performance, a cage wrapped in luxury. This one feels like freedom.I sit up slowly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. My reflection in the mirror looks softer than I remember. Not because I’m flawless, the faint scars on my wrist, the tired lines near my eyes but because I look alive.A knock on the door breaks my thoughts.“Come in,” I call.Hale steps inside, dressed neatly in a charcoal suit, holding a bouquet of pale roses. “You ready to make an honest man out of my boss?”I laugh quietly. “He’s already honest now. That’s what scares me.”Hale grins. “He’s been pacing since dawn. I think he’s more nervous than you.”“Good,” I say, smiling faintly. “It’s his turn.”He chuckles, handing me the bouquet. “You look beautiful, Ariana. Really. You deserve this.”The words hit somewhere deep. I swallow, blinking back the

Damian’s POVIt starts with a phone call I never expected.I’m in the study, sorting through contracts when Hale knocks once and steps inside, phone in hand. His expression tells me everything before he even speaks.“Your mother,” he says quietly.The pen slips from my fingers. “What?”He nods, offering me the phone. “She asked to speak to you. Said it’s important.”For a moment, I just stare at the screen, the name I haven’t seen in years glowing back at me like a ghost. Mother.My throat goes dry. The last time we spoke, her words were final.“You’ve disgraced this family, Damian. We can’t support your choices.”I’d told her she could keep her approval. I’d walked away and never looked back. Until now.Ariana steps into the doorway, hair tied up, a faint trace of flour on her cheek from baking with Elio. “What’s wrong?”I swallow. “My mother’s on the line.”Her eyes widen a little, then soften. “After all this time?”“Apparently.”Hale sets the phone down and leaves, closing the do

Damien's Pov Ariana sits beside me. She looks… peaceful. Or maybe she’s just better at pretending. Her hand rests on her lap, fingers brushing against the edge of Elio’s pacifier she carries everywhere. I want to reach for her hand, but something in me hesitates.Dr. Langley, the therapist, clears her throat softly. “Thank you both for coming in today. First sessions are always the hardest.”I almost snort. Hardest? She hasn’t seen hard. Hard was watching Ariana get taken. Hard was holding her afterward, blood on both our hands, whispering promises I wasn’t sure I could keep.Ariana beats me to a response. “We’re… trying,” she says quietly. Dr. Langley nods. “That’s a good place to start.” She looks at me next. “Damien, what made you agree to come?”Her tone is gentle. Too gentle. It grates on my nerves.I shift in my seat, leaning forward, elbows on my knees. “Because she asked me to.”Ariana glances at me. Dr. Langley hums. “And what do you want to get out of being here?”I want

Ariana's Pov Damian’s grip on my hand is firm, grounding. He hasn’t spoken in a while, but his thumb moves slowly against my skin. The judge clears his throat. “Will the defendant please rise.”Adrian stands. His cuffs rattle faintly, the only sound in the room.He looks different now, a bit subdued. The foreman stands, paper trembling slightly in her hand. “We, the jury, find the defendant, Adrian Cole, guilty on all counts.”The words hang in the air.Kidnapping.Endangerment.Assault.Conspiracy.Each one lands like a nail sealing the coffin of a man who once thought himself untouchable.I exhale shakily. Damian’s shoulders sag, the tension leaving his body in a slow wave. Hale, standing near the door, closes his eyes for a brief moment — silent relief.The judge speaks again, voice even. “Given the nature and gravity of these crimes, this court hereby sentences the defendant to thirty years without the possibility of parole.”There’s a murmur, reporters scribbling, the audience

Ariana's Pov Damian’s hand rests lightly on my back as we walk through the double doors, past the swarm of reporters and flashing cameras.“Just keep your eyes forward,” he murmurs.I nod, though my pulse thunders loud enough to drown him out.Inside, the courtroom feels colder than it should. Polished wood. White walls. Rows of strangers waiting to witness the end of something evil.And in the center of it all, him.Adrian sits at the defendant’s table, wrists cuffed, a faint smirk on his face. He’s wearing the same expression he wore when he cornered me with— calm, detached, superior. His eyes find mine.For a heartbeat, it’s like we’re back there, the room, the baby’s cry, the terror. My chest tightens, but Damian’s fingers slide into mine, grounding me.“Don’t give him power,” Damian whispers. “Not anymore.”I inhale slowly. Exhale. And when I look back, I meet Adrian’s gaze without flinching.He blinks, surprised. Then the smirk fades.The bailiff calls for silence. The judge e