LOGINNicola Taylor I sat in the car, gripping the steering wheel tightly, staring at the entrance of Cole’s office building. I felt utterly defeated. Six years ago, my life had crumbled in his absence. And now, here I was again, stuck in an endless loop, except this time, I wasn’t competing with the
Cole Harrington I watched Nicola walk off, her retreating figure stirring something uneasy in my chest. The weight of the day’s events pressed down on me like a storm cloud refusing to dissipate. I felt suffocated, torn between what was happening and what I was inadvertently doing to the woman I c
Nicola Taylor The weight of her words hit like a tidal wave. I felt my chest tighten as I realized what she’d sacrificed, and I could see the shift in Cole’s expression. The anger in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something closer to heartbreak. “And you just… agreed to that?” he asked, his voice b
“Because I knew you wouldn’t let me go,” she said simply. “You would’ve fought him, and he would’ve come after you too. After Arabella. I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t let him hurt you the way he wanted to hurt me.” The three of us stood in silence, the weight of Courtney’s confession hanging heavy
Nicola Taylor Arabella went back inside, her small figure disappearing into the house with a frustrated sigh. The heavy front door creaked as it closed, leaving just the three of us standing in the cool morning air. Silence settled over the driveway, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves i
Nicola Taylor The night was a restless blur. Aaron’s small, trembling body pressed against mine as he cried himself to sleep, his tears soaking through my shirt. I stayed with him, stroking his hair and whispering soft reassurances until his breathing evened out. Even then, I couldn’t bring myself
Nicola Taylor As I finished typing up my report on my students that was due tomorrow, I heard a sudden thud from outside. My heart jumped, and I quickly left my desk, rushing out into the hallway without even thinking to grab my shrug. The cool air hit my skin, but I was too focused on the sound to
“Cole please,” I begged as my small hands covered his big ones as I tried to stop him but somehow that just fueled his lust more as he started pulling the straps of my dress down. “Daddy, uncle is here!” I heard a cheery voice making me push Cole away before I fixed my dress, but my red face gave
Nicola Taylor The argument wasn’t over. I could hear Cole’s heavy footsteps pounding up the stairs, each one echoing my own frustration and anger. As soon as he reached the door, he began banging on it, the force of his knocks shaking the frame. “Nicola, open the door! We need to talk!” His voice
Nicola Taylor I dressed quickly for work as soon as Cole kicked his in-laws out of the house. Too many things were said and revealed, but I didn’t have time to think about it. I had to leave for school with Bella. Thankfully, when I came out of my room dressed and ready with my bag, Mrs. Kinsley ha







