Sarah’s POVSeven months laterI should have said something earlier.I should have told Adrian that the cramps were getting worse. That the dizzy spells weren’t going away. That I felt...off in a way I couldn’t explain.But I didn’t want to worry him.He already did so much, already hovered over me with this mixture of awe and terror like I was the most precious thing in the world.So I smiled. I reassured him. I told myself it was normal.Until it wasn’t.Until I was standing in the kitchen one afternoon, laughing at something Nora said, and the world tilted dangerously.Until I felt a sharp pain—low and deep—and the next thing I knew, I was crumpling to the floor, gasping for air."Mommy?" Nora's tiny voice was the last thing I heard before everything blurred.*When I came to, I was lying on the couch, Adrian’s hands cupping my face, his voice sharp with panic."Sarah, sweetheart, stay with me, okay? I’m calling an ambulance—""No," I croaked, grabbing his wrist weakly. "Just...hos
Sarah’s POV(Final Chapter)The day our baby was born didn’t start with fireworks.It started with rain.Soft, misty rain that painted the windows in silvery patterns and made everything feel quiet. Holy, almost. Like even the world itself was holding its breath.I woke up around four in the morning with a dull ache low in my back. Nothing urgent, nothing dramatic—just a slow, steady tightening that made me blink up at the ceiling and wonder if this was it.Adrian was dead asleep beside me, one hand resting lightly on my belly as he had every night for the past few months.I lay there for a while, listening to the rain, to the sound of his breathing, to the tiny thump of our baby’s heartbeat inside me.Alive.Strong.A miracle.Eventually, I shifted, and Adrian stirred immediately, like he could sense something even in sleep."Sarah?" he rasped, his voice thick with sleep."I think…" I hesitated, pressing my hand to my stomach as another tightening wave rolled through me. "I think it’
Three Years Later(Sarah's POV)The late afternoon sun bathed the backyard in a golden glow, the air humming with the lazy buzz of summer.Laughter floated through the open doors of the house—the high, sweet giggle of a toddler, the low rumble of a man who had found his peace, the musical chatter of a little girl who had grown into her role as big sister like she was born for it.I leaned against the porch railing, a glass of lemonade in my hand, watching my family.Our family.Adrian was down on the grass, his hair a little longer than when we first met, his white T-shirt grass-stained and wrinkled.He didn’t care.He only cared about the tiny whirlwind currently chasing him in uneven circles, her curly brown hair tied up in two messy pigtails, her squeals of delight loud enough to make the birds scatter."Catch Daddy, Eliana!" Nora shouted from her perch on the swing set."I’m trying!" Eliana cried back, her little legs pumping furiously, her chubby hands reaching for Adrian with th
Sarah’s POVI arranged the presentation files carefully on the conference table, aligning each one perfectly in front of a seat. Next, I placed bottles of water beside them, smoothing out the edges of my dress with trembling hands. I exhaled slowly, stepping back to assess my work. Everything was in place for the meeting with Adrian Blackwood, the CEO.The door swung open, and the board members began filing in, their conversations blending into a steady hum. I took my seat beside my manager, gripping my iPad and light pen, ready to take notes.Just minutes before the meeting was set to begin, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I hesitated, then leaned toward my manager. “Excuse me, sir. I need to use the restroom.”He shot me a pointed look. “Make it quick. I don’t want you missing a thing in this meeting.”I nodded and hurried out, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The elevator doors slid open, and just as I stepped forward, Adrian Blackwood strode out. His attention was locked
Adrian’s POVI leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly as the weight of the board meeting settled over me. The pressure to maintain Blackwood’s dominance in the industry was mounting, and my personal life—of all things—was now under scrutiny.Neville, my personal assistant, strode in, shutting the door behind him with a knowing look. “We need to talk.”I rubbed my temples, already anticipating where this was going. “I was just about to call you in. Let me guess—you’re about to lecture me on how my dating habits are tanking our company’s image?”He didn’t even try to soften the blow. “I don’t need to lecture. The board made it clear: our biggest competitor is gaining traction because their CEO is a family man. Investors see him as reliable, grounded. Meanwhile, you…” He gave a pointed glance at the whiskey tumbler on my desk. “You’re ‘the bachelor CEO’ who cycles through models and influencers like they’re seasonal collections.”I scoffed, though the truth of his words gnawed at me. “S
Chapter ThreeSarah’s POVI stood at the doorway, my fingers gripping the strap of my bag tightly. The office was sleek and modern—black, white, and grey tones giving it a sharp, intimidating feel. Two paintings adorned the walls, though I barely noticed the details. My heart pounded against my ribs. This was the first time I had been called into the CEO’s office since I started working here two years ago.“Please, take a seat,” Adrian said, his voice smooth yet commanding.“I’m comfortable standing, sir,” I replied, trying to steady my voice.“Miss Nathaniel,” he said again, slower this time, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Have a seat.”With a reluctant sigh, I sank into the chair across from him, my back ramrod straight.“You sent for me, sir,” I said, meeting his gaze with a mix of defiance and anxiety.I had a bad feeling about this. Had my manager reported me? Did they find an excuse to fire me? I needed this job. I needed the money for Nora.Adrian leaned back in his cha
Adrian’s POVA moment of silence stretched between us, tension thick in the air. Then, she let out a slow breath and nodded. “Fine. I'll marry you… but I’m doing this only for my daughter.”A victorious smirk curled my lips. “Good. I knew you’d make the right decision.”Her eyes darkened with suspicion. “What do you stand to gain from this? You’ve been fine without a wife all these years.”I leaned back, watching her carefully. “I’m doing this for Blackwood Organization,” I said smoothly. “For the thousands of employees who rely on us. For my family’s legacy. For the future of the company. So, in a way, you and I are not so different.”She let out a sharp scoff. “Don't flatter me, Sir. There’s a world of difference between us. For one, I wouldn’t marry someone unless I loved him.”The second the words left her lips, realization dawned on her face. Her eyes widened slightly before she pressed her lips together, as if trying to take them back.I chuckled. “Well, you just shot yourself in
Sarah’s PovI stepped out of my bedroom, about to head out when Adrian emerged from the kitchen, his bare chest glistening with sweat. His sweatpants hung low on his hips, the sharp dips of his muscles on full display. He must have been working out—his usual morning routine before breakfast. Funny how I had memorized his habits when we had only been married for a few days.My eyes betrayed me, lingering a second too long.Adrian smirked. “I see you’re enjoying the view.”I snapped out of my thoughts, heat rising to my cheeks. “No! Eww!”His chuckle was low and deep, vibrating through the air between us. “You sure about that?” He took a step closer, arms folding across his chest, making his muscles flex deliberately.I took an instinctive step back, clearing my throat. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”He cocked a brow. “I’m supposed to be on my honeymoon since I got married last weekend.” His voice dripped with amusement. “Now, don’t change the subject. Where are you going?”“That’
Three Years Later(Sarah's POV)The late afternoon sun bathed the backyard in a golden glow, the air humming with the lazy buzz of summer.Laughter floated through the open doors of the house—the high, sweet giggle of a toddler, the low rumble of a man who had found his peace, the musical chatter of a little girl who had grown into her role as big sister like she was born for it.I leaned against the porch railing, a glass of lemonade in my hand, watching my family.Our family.Adrian was down on the grass, his hair a little longer than when we first met, his white T-shirt grass-stained and wrinkled.He didn’t care.He only cared about the tiny whirlwind currently chasing him in uneven circles, her curly brown hair tied up in two messy pigtails, her squeals of delight loud enough to make the birds scatter."Catch Daddy, Eliana!" Nora shouted from her perch on the swing set."I’m trying!" Eliana cried back, her little legs pumping furiously, her chubby hands reaching for Adrian with th
Sarah’s POV(Final Chapter)The day our baby was born didn’t start with fireworks.It started with rain.Soft, misty rain that painted the windows in silvery patterns and made everything feel quiet. Holy, almost. Like even the world itself was holding its breath.I woke up around four in the morning with a dull ache low in my back. Nothing urgent, nothing dramatic—just a slow, steady tightening that made me blink up at the ceiling and wonder if this was it.Adrian was dead asleep beside me, one hand resting lightly on my belly as he had every night for the past few months.I lay there for a while, listening to the rain, to the sound of his breathing, to the tiny thump of our baby’s heartbeat inside me.Alive.Strong.A miracle.Eventually, I shifted, and Adrian stirred immediately, like he could sense something even in sleep."Sarah?" he rasped, his voice thick with sleep."I think…" I hesitated, pressing my hand to my stomach as another tightening wave rolled through me. "I think it’
Sarah’s POVSeven months laterI should have said something earlier.I should have told Adrian that the cramps were getting worse. That the dizzy spells weren’t going away. That I felt...off in a way I couldn’t explain.But I didn’t want to worry him.He already did so much, already hovered over me with this mixture of awe and terror like I was the most precious thing in the world.So I smiled. I reassured him. I told myself it was normal.Until it wasn’t.Until I was standing in the kitchen one afternoon, laughing at something Nora said, and the world tilted dangerously.Until I felt a sharp pain—low and deep—and the next thing I knew, I was crumpling to the floor, gasping for air."Mommy?" Nora's tiny voice was the last thing I heard before everything blurred.*When I came to, I was lying on the couch, Adrian’s hands cupping my face, his voice sharp with panic."Sarah, sweetheart, stay with me, okay? I’m calling an ambulance—""No," I croaked, grabbing his wrist weakly. "Just...hos
Adrian’s POVSaturday evening came faster than I expected.Our house smelled like roasted chicken, fresh bread, and something sweet Sarah had been tinkering with all afternoon. She insisted on doing most of it herself, humming as she moved around the kitchen, a hand occasionally drifting to her still-flat stomach without even realizing it.I couldn't stop watching her.There was a new glow to her, yes—but it was deeper than that. It was peace. Wholeness. Like she was finally standing on steady ground again.At five-thirty sharp, the doorbell rang.I beat her to it.Emily stood there, holding Lily with one hand, Alex gripping her other hand, and a diaper bag hanging off her shoulder like a badge of honor."Hey, Uncle A!" Alex grinned up at me, missing one of his front teeth."Hey, bud," I said, ruffling his hair.Lily repeated the same thing, allowing me scoop her up. "You’re my favorite now," Emily teased, slipping inside. "Saved me from my pack mule life."Sarah appeared from the ki
Sarah’s POVThe morning sun stretched wide over the city as I pulled into the parking lot of The Haven.I sat for a moment, hand brushing lightly across my still-flat stomach. No real bump yet, but the knowledge of the life growing inside me made every breath feel a little deeper. A little more sacred.The Haven had become more than just a project. It was a refuge—for the women we took in, and honestly, for me too.When I pushed open the front doors, I was hit immediately by the smell of coffee and the soft hum of laughter coming from the kitchen."Morning, Mrs. Blackwood!" Dana called from across the common room, her blonde hair a messy halo around her head.I smiled warmly. "Good morning, Dana. And please, it’s just Sarah."She grinned and returned to helping another girl sort through a box of donated clothes.There were almost ten women — and a baby — living here now. Ten beautiful, messy, complicated lives. And the house showed it: sneakers tossed by the door, mugs abandoned on th
Adrian’s POVIt was strange, walking through the halls of the Blackwood estate again—this time with peace in my chest, and my family by my side.Nora clutched my hand tightly, her Birthday Queen sash still proudly slung across her shoulder. She was buzzing with excitement, peppering me with questions about what Grandpa Richard had planned for her special dinner.“Do you think he’ll have chocolate cake again?” she asked. “The one with the crunchy layers?”“I’m sure he will,” I said, glancing down at her. “You’re the birthday girl. You call the shots.”She grinned and swung our hands as we walked. Behind us, Sarah moved with careful grace, her free hand resting gently on her still-flat stomach.I slowed my pace to match hers and looked over my shoulder. She met my eyes and gave me a soft, reassuring smile.“You okay?” I mouthed.She nodded, but I could feel her tension. Not just because of the dinner, but because of who’d be at the table.Anne.She’d made no real attempt to hide her dis
Sarah’s POVI couldn’t sleep that night.After the last dish had been washed, after the projector had been turned off and all the guests had either gone home or been tucked in their beds, and after Adrian kissed my temple and whispered goodnight, I lay in the dark, listening to the soft rise and fall of Nora’s breathing through the baby monitor.Seven.She was seven.I wrapped my arms around myself as I stood by the window, the moonlight casting gentle shadows across the floor. It didn’t feel like seven years had passed since I first held her in that sterile hospital room—small, fragile, barely able to cry. They had whisked her away before I could even memorize her face, and I remembered lying there, feeling both the wonder of motherhood and the paralyzing fear that I might lose her.She’d been sick—so sick. The doctors had whispered words I didn’t understand at first. Words like congenital defect, pediatric surgery, and long-term treatment. I was only teenager myself. Alone. No mone
Adrian’s POVA month had passed since we returned from the honeymoon, and things had finally begun to feel grounded.The board had adjusted to my chairmanship—some reluctantly, some surprisingly quickly. The scandals, the sabotage, the endless battles for control… it all felt like a distant storm we’d sailed through. Blackwood Enterprises wasn’t just stable again—it was thriving. We’d launched two new initiatives in the last quarter, and investor confidence was the highest it had been in years.But all of that faded into the background today.Because today was bigger than any boardroom victory.Today, Nora turned seven.It hit me differently this year. Maybe because she was really mine now—not just in name or responsibility, but in the way her face lit up when she saw me, in the way she called me “Daddy” with a kind of trust that broke me in the best way. Or maybe it was because this was the first birthday I got to experience and plan with Sarah—as her husband.I left work early—somet
Sarah’s POVThe morning after the wedding was soft and golden.Sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the cottage we’d stayed in for the night—just a few minutes from the venue. The air was still, except for the occasional chirp of a bird outside and the faint rustle of trees in the wind. I lay there for a moment, eyes closed, Adrian’s arm draped over my waist, our breaths in sync.Married. For real, this time.I was someone’s wife. His wife.The word settled gently over me, not heavy or intimidating, but warm—like being wrapped in a favorite blanket.Adrian stirred beside me. “You’re awake.”I smiled, eyes still closed. “So are you.”“Barely.” His voice was husky, sleep-worn. “But you’re smiling, so I think I’m doing alright as a husband so far.”I laughed softly. “You’re doing amazing.”We stayed like that for a few more moments before he finally sat up, rubbing a hand over his face. “You ready to sneak away with me?”“Honeymoon sneak-away?” I teased, stretching. “Yes, please