Masuk“Do you think this is a good idea?” Ezra’s voice echoed from the living room.“What is?” Autumn asked, already suspecting what he was talking about.“You working in the same building as that psychopath.” He frowned, his foot tapping annoyingly on the rug.“You speak like I like it,” she said, stepping out of the room with her makeup done. “I’m only doing it because there’s no other choice.”Ezra remained speechless, staring at her as she adjusted her hair. His mouth dry as the tapping stopped, his heart beating wildly in his chest trying to stop the pulsing of his heart beat. “Do I look okay?” she asked, finally acknowledging his silence.“Y-yes… you…” He stuttered, then cleared his throat desperately to hide his flustered expression. “Yes, you look… okay.” He added the last word even though he had wanted to use a much stronger one.“Thanks.” She smiled graciously at him. She led the way as they stepped outside and walked to the car.“I still think you’re being reckless,” he commente
The tall, terrifying structure of the ministry building stood in all its glory. Autumn stood in awe, taking in the moment. *I can’t believe it,* she thought to herself in disbelief. The reality of starting her first day in this new role still felt unreal. Walking inside, she paused to look at the array of employees moving around, each busy with their own tasks. “This is really real,” she whispered in disbelief. There was no way to fully explain the feeling. She approached the receptionist’s desk. “Hi, I’m here regarding my appointment with the director,” she said, giving the man’s name. The receptionist typed in the information. “Name?” she asked. Autumn gave her own name, and the woman continued typing. Once everything was confirmed, the receptionist instructed Autumn on where to go to meet the director. Nodding and thanking her, Autumn took the elevator up to the floor where the director’s office was located. Just as the secretary had said, it was at the end of the hallway. S
Autumn’s modest apartment was decorated to the nines as a way of marking the upcoming year. Balloons and streamers hung from every corner.“Don’t you think you guys overdid it with the decorations?” Autumn asked, turning to face Gusty, who was mixing a questionable beverage.“Nonsense. It’s only befitting. We have to celebrate the year’s end in grand style,” he waved her off. She just giggled at his explanation.“You’re right,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. “Do you think it’s okay for you two to spend New Year’s Eve with me instead of your families?”“It’s fine. They had us for Christmas. I’m sure New Year’s will be cool. Mine already know I’m spending it with friends. It’s Ezra’s family that has the problem — you should be more worried about him.” Gusty tilted his head toward Ezra, who was in the middle of a heated phone conversation. A moment later, Ezra walked over to them.“Mom, me not being there wouldn’t be the end of the world,” he said into the phone. “I know it’s impor
The spell of illusion that had been cast over the entire estate for the past few days was put to an abrupt halt.The once glamorous and lively atmosphere came to a stop, just like a veil being lifted to reveal the ugly truth underneath. The time she had spent with them was over.Just like Cinderella, everything had to return to the way it was. The borrowed time had run out. The coachman and carriage had turned back into mice and a pumpkin. The only difference was that she wasn’t returning home as a pauper — she was still a wealthy woman.She was in her room packing the few belongings she had brought with her, while Finn sat by her side with a frown on his face. A near-perfect mirror of his father’s.*He’s becoming more like him every single day,* she thought, stealing a secret glance at his face.His eyes were moist from holding back tears, and his nose was already turning red. She crouched down in front of him.“Hey, love,” she said softly, threading her fingers through his hair. “I’
It was Christmas morning, and the house was filled to the brim with festive cheer. The day could be felt everywhere as the servants hustled up and down, making sure the final arrangements were complete.Despite how busy they were, nothing dampened their mood. The holiday spirit filled every corner of the house.The sound of commotion from outside pulled Autumn from her sleep. Her eyes dropped to the smaller figure nestled against her side, pressed close to her chest.His breathing was soft and even as he continued to sleep, completely vulnerable to the world. She reached out and gently caressed his soft cheek, her fingers drifting from his cheek to his nose, then his lips, before brushing the hair away from his forehead.Her gaze drifted toward the open window, taking in the sight of the snow-covered world outside — a white blanket stretching as far as she could see.“Mommy.” Finn’s sleepy murmur pulled her attention back.She leaned closer and nuzzled him. “Yes, my beautiful boy,” sh
Autumn stepped out of the taxi with a bag of gifts in one hand and another bag for the night filled with clothes and toiletries. It was already Christmas Eve — the day before Christmas — and dark outside by the time she arrived.As per the agreement she and Eric had made, he was supposed to text her the details of when and where she would spend Christmas with their son. He had specifically agreed to let her spend it with them, most likely to give Finn the illusion of a unified family, or at least a semblance of one.But who was she to complain? She had time with her child. There was nothing else she could ask for.The house was decorated with strings of green, red, blue, and white lights — a multi-coloured display of festivity. Even before stepping inside the estate, the joy of the season could be felt from a distance. The darkness of the sky only made the lights shine brighter.She was greeted at the door, assisted, and ushered inside to sit.The living room was decked out in all its
Autumn POVI sat down on the sofa, staring at the TV. A broadcast of an interview was playing on the screen, the bright lights of the television reflecting in my eyes. The words being said echoed in the vast, space of the living room. It felt like the house was too big now, especially with the
We had finally returned home after spending three grueling days at the hospital. The sterile smell of antiseptic seemed to have seeped into my skin, and the constant beep of monitors still echoed in my ears. Finn was much better, his laughter returning as we walked through the front doors of the es
The ride back to the hotel was quiet, but the air was different. The tension had shifted from anger to something much more potent. When we stepped into the hotel room, the city lights of Milan were sparkling through the windows, but all I could see was Eric.He closed the door behind us, locking it
The light from the morning sun blinded my eyes, forcing me to squint as I woke up in an unfamiliar room. For a split second, I panicked, my heart racing as I tried to remember where I was. Then, the events of last night crashed into my mind. I buried my face in the silk pillows, blushing at the mem







