*SOPHIA’S POV*“While carrying out a series of tests on you. This tested positive,” the doctor said.I read through the document, now in my hand.“I—I am…..pregnant?” I stuttered, my gaze away from the document in my hand, and now fixated on the doctor, my eyes searched for an answer. “Yes, Mrs Garner, you are four weeks pregnant… thankfully, you were brought to the hospital today and I was able to figure out the complications you've had from the abortion six years ago,” the doctor said.“Is—is it safe?” I asked, my lips trembling and tears building up in my eyes as I tried to stop them. “I wouldn't say it is completely safe, and I wouldn't say it's not completely safe…….I can see that you are married, why don't I invite your husband in and we can talk about the pros and cons of the pregnancy?” the doctor suggested.“No….he is not my husband, he's just—just a friend,” I quickly said.“Oh, I am sorry, I assumed wrongly…..why don't you come with your husband for your next appointment,
*BRAN’S POV*The judges retreated for deliberation, and the tension in the hall was noticeable. When Mayor Thompson returned, her face unreadable, the crowd held its breath. “The judges have made their decision,” she stood on stage and announced, with a white card and her microphone in her hand. “The contract for the New City Hall will be awarded to……….Mr Bran Garner! Team lead of Veridian Project!”A roar erupted from my team, and Sophia’s face was filled with a beautiful smile as she stood and applauded, followed by applause from the audience. I suddenly felt a wave of relief and triumph, but my gaze immediately sought out Tom.As the congratulations poured in, I moved through the crowd, excusing myself until I stood directly in front of my uncle. Tom’s face was a mask of barely controlled anger, his eyes narrowed.“Well, Uncle,” I said, my voice low and steady.. “Looks like your ‘fragile’ supply chains held up, and those ‘unproven entities’ delivered. And funny enough, I don’t
BRAN’S POV*Weeks passed, and the day of the new city hall bidding was here. My team and I had worked our asses off for the past weeks in hopes of getting a fitting result. The air in the hall was thick with anticipation and nervous energy. I adjusted the edges of my suit jacket, my heart beating a steady rhythm against my ribs. Months of relentless work, countless late nights fueled by coffee and determination, this was the moment: the New City Hall bidding competition. Pierre, Sophia and my team, small, made up of discarded heads of departments but fiercely dedicated, sat behind me, their faces expressed tension and hope.Across the aisle, a familiar face caught my eye. Tom, well dressed as always, gave off an unsettling smile. Tom’s project name was “Apex Innovations”, while my project name was “Veridian Designs”.The head judge, Mayor Thompson, cleared her throat, and silence fell over the room.“Welcome, esteemed colleagues and citizens, to the final stage of the New City Hall
Jane got out of the car and was escorted by Ren. “It is clear enough that my husband has chosen his side of this game,” Jane said, her emotions bottled up.“How would you like to proceed ma'am?” Ren asked.“Find me every little dirty information on my husband” Jame ordered.“Yes ma'am” Ren answered as she walked into the house alone. *SOPHIA’S POV*We finally drove down to the beach and luckily for us, the sun was about set. I got my legs out of the car and tried to pull off my flats when Bran got out and approached me.“Do you want to pull them off?” Bran gently asked as he bent the moment I nodded.He pulled off my flat shoes and gestured for me to proceed. I stepped my feet on the ground one after the other, and a cold feeling engulfed my feet.“I have always wanted to walk down the beach barefoot with the man I love,” I said with a smile and held onto Bran’s hand.“Consider your wish granted,” Bran said as he led me to the edge of the water. The waves clashing and the currents f
*SOPHIA’S POV* The door to the studio opened and the photographer stumbled in with his camera and other equipment. “I am so sorry…..there was a lot of traffic,” he said. “Can you please just get to work? The babies might start getting fussy and cry” I gently said to the photographer. “Of course,” he said. The photographer started mounting his equipment while the mothers began to prep their babies for their shoots. “Okay, can you please adjust the baby’s back so that it rests more on the pillow?” the photographer asked Tessa. “Oh okay,” Tessa responded and did as she was told. “Okay okay…..that’s good,” he said and took a couple of shots with his camera while I stood at the back and watched every pose and shot. The shoot was almost coming to an end but the last baby started crying. Tessa tried to console the baby so that the shoot could go on and end on time but the baby wasn’t having any of her words. “Where is his mother?” I approached Tessa and whispered. “She said sh
BRAN’S POV*“Every decision Sophia has ever made was never forced. She could have said no to my proposal, no matter the debt her father owed, but she didn't, because deep down, she knew it would be me and no one else. Don't you get it?” I said to Liam.“If you knew what she went through because of you, you wouldn't be so delighted saying all these things,” Liam said with a disappointed look on his face.Just then, Sophia walked back to the dining table, and we both suddenly went silent as she took her seat. She looked at us suspiciously.“Is anything the matter?” she asked, oblivious to what we'd been arguing about. “Nothing, nothing babe……Liam and I were just talking about how wonderful the meal was,” I said and faked a smile at Liam, and he did the same.“Oh please….. I didn't really put my all into the meal, but then I am glad you both loved it, which shows that there could be less tension between you two,” Sophia said and looked at us both with a furrowed brow. “Of course……..in