Present Time“How—how did he find us?” I ask Aiden, my voice trembling. “He wasn’t supposed to have any way of knowing we’re here.”I’m sobbing, glancing nervously over my shoulder while clutching my small belly.“Relax. He won’t be able to track us down,” Aiden assures me as he helps me into his car.Almost immediately, the driver pulls away, and a few minutes later, we arrive at the house where I now live with Ginevra. My hands shake as I fumble with the door, so Aiden guides me into the living room and helps me sit down.“Take care of her while I’m gone, champ,” he tells little Henry, who hands me his ball and flashes a bright smile.“Don’t leave… please. I-I don’t want to be alone,” I stammer, tears still flowing.“I’m just going to get a glass of water. We won’t leave you alone,” Aiden promises before stepping out of the room, leaving me in the care of the boy.Just as he said, he returns seconds later with a glass of water. I manage a few sips, though it does nothing to calm the
I park the car near the park Giselle visits every day. Stepping out, I slowly walk toward the tall trees that border the path. Just as I’m about to emerge from behind them, a familiar scent reaches me—magnolia, peony, and amberwood—soft and unforgettable. It’s her. It’s Giselle.I close my eyes and breathe it in, savoring the fragrance that has haunted me for months. When I open them again, I spot her delicate figure sitting on a bench. Her hands move slowly, gently caressing the small bump of her belly—our babies growing inside her. My heart shatters as I watch thick tears slide down her cheeks while her lips move, whispering words I can't make out.I lower my gaze, feeling like the most despicable man alive. I did this. I’m the reason she’s crying, the one responsible for her pain—when she should be celebrating, elated to know she’s not infertile as she once believed. But that joy has been tainted... tainted by my betrayal, my cruelty.A thousand apologies run through my mind—ways t
Nathan After his confession, I stay silent for a few seconds, struggling to process everything he’s just told me. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that the Lefebvres have been behind so many of my family’s tragedies for years.“Why...? Why did your father pay Iris to become my dad’s mistress?” I ask once I find my voice again.“You don’t know the history between our parents?”“All I know is that for years your family has been stealing from us, even though we never did anything to deserve it,” I reply coldly.“So there are still secrets you don’t know, Dubois. I figured at the very least you’d know this story firsthand. I only found out recently myself. But since staying silent no longer serves me, I might as well tell you everything I know,” he mutters, throwing a glance at the agent, who, just like me, seems eager to hear more, forgetting that the five minutes he gave us have already passed. When the man gives him a small nod, Oliver meets my gaze again and continues.“Lon
As I step out of the taxi and spot several police cars surrounding the Lefebvre building, I know Pierre was telling the truth—Oliver is about to be arrested. Which likely means I won’t get the chance to speak to him.I walk into the lobby, now total chaos, and make my way straight to one of the receptionists without hesitation.“Can I speak with Oliver Lefebvre?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.“I’m sorry, but that’s going to be difficult…” she begins, but her words are quickly drowned out by a wave of murmurs sweeping through the room. Like everyone else, I follow the receptionist’s stunned gaze.All eyes land on the elevator as several officers emerge, escorting Bastian and Chantal Lefebvre out in handcuffs—just like the criminals they are. A surge of satisfaction rushes through me. Finally, after everything they’ve done, they’re going to pay for at least some of it.They pass right by me, too wrapped up in their own shame to notice I’m there. I wait a few seconds. Ano
FlashbackAfter talking to Giselle and making sure she's feeling better, I head to our usual café. But just as I'm about to walk in, someone steps in front of me with very clear intentions. I try to sidestep her, but she blocks my path again."You’ll want to hear this. It’s about your wife.""Oh really? What could you possibly tell me that I don’t already know about her?" I scoff."Do you really want to know?""Clearly, you don’t get sarcasm. For your own good, back off, Sarah," I growl when she grabs my arm."Please, Nath...""Don’t call me that. Only Giselle gets to call me that—she’s my wife and the woman I love.""Alright, I won’t call you that," she says, stepping back. "You say you love her, but have you ever stopped to ask yourself if she feels the same about you?""Of course she does, and that’s not up for discussion.""Then explain why she’s been secretly meeting up with her ex-husband."Her words hit me like a slap just as I reach for the café door."Stop talking nonsense. I
“What do you mean, she left?” I ask, feeling a tightness in my chest I can’t begin to describe.“You heard me. Giselle left the country. Did you really think she’d stick around and wait for you to follow through on your threat?”“She’s gone?” Scarlett’s voice trembles as she grabs her brother’s arm, forcing him to look at her. “Why did you lie to me and say she didn’t want to see us? And why didn’t she tell us she was pregnant?”“What threat?” Kalet chimes in at the same time, glancing between us all, clearly confused.“I’m sorry, kid,” Pierre says softly. “But she asked me not to tell anyone she was leaving, and I gave her my word. I had to keep it—it was my duty as her best friend. She was afraid that if he found out…” he gestures toward me with his chin, “she might lose something—something really important to her.“And the threat I mentioned? It was the one your boss made to her the day they signed the divorce papers.”“What threat?” Kalet repeats.“Didn’t your boss tell you?” Pier