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The other side of control

Author: Beth
last update Last Updated: 2025-07-01 16:11:48

OWEN'S POV

I haven't been getting good sleep.

Each morning I arrived at the office earlier than the last not to work but to sit in silence pretending everything was under control. But the reality was, that day changed me. I hadn't stop thinking about Zoe’s trembling voice when she spoke to me, her hands covered in blood and the fear in her eyes. Alexis’s voice kept replaying in my head too “Do you really believe I would get locked up here?”

So when I opened the door and saw Zoe there I was frozen in shock.

She sat at her desk going through papers like nothing was wrong. I caught my breath. I wasn’t sure if she was real. But she looked up and smiled.

“Morning,” she said softly.

I was still staring.

She looked... better. Not like before all of this began, but not broken either. Her eyes looked worn out but she looked confident again. That strength I had always admired was in her posture, her hold on the pen and in the way she gazed at me.

“You’re back?” I finally said, my voice roughe
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  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    Full Circle

    ZOE’S POV I woke up with my heart full and a soft smile on my face. My entire body could feel how important today is. It still feels surreal. I lay there for a moment, listening to the hum of the AC, the birds outside and the calm breathing beside me. Owen stirred and turned slightly toward me. “She’s one,” I whispered, almost afraid to say it out loud. “I can’t believe Ava is one today.” His eyes opened slowly, still heavy with sleep but when he smiled, it was warm. He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “After everything, the fear of losing the pregnancy, her arriving too early, the moment the doctors were trying to get her to breathe, the weeks she had to stay in the NICU.” “Now she is here. Growing stronger every day.” I said softly. “She’ll keep growing,” Owen said quietly, “Healthier. Even more perfect. She’s our little miracle.” “Yes,” I said, smiling as my chest filled. “She is.” He pulled me closer and kissed me softly, then loud knocking broke the moment. “Mom! Dad!

  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    Where We Stand Now

    CHLOE'S POV Zoe’s voice came through the phone,“How’s school?” she asked.I smiled and rested on the kitchen counter. “Good. It's a lot of work, but good. I’m surviving.”She laughed softly. “How's Jamie and Ava? I asked. “They're fine,” Zoe said. “Jamie is at Austin's. He kept asking if you’re coming for Ava's birthday next weekend. He said he hasn’t seen you in a long time.”I paused.“Chloe,” she said gently, “are you still planning to come? Or… you’re not comfortable coming back yet?”I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed in. “I haven’t even held her yet,” I said. “I wouldn’t miss Ava’s first birthday for anything. I’ll be there.”Zoe sounded relieved. “I'm happy to hear that. I’ll tell Jamie. We’ll be expecting you.”Just then, Liam entered the room, he started to ask about dinner and I quickly motioned for him to be quiet.Zoe heard it anyway.“Are you with someone?” she asked.My throat felt that. “Just… a course mate,” I said quietly.She hesitated. “Okay,” Zoe said,

  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    Enough

    OWEN'S POV Zoe stayed quiet through most of the flight.Now she brushed Ava’s back again and again.I closed my laptop and turned to her. “Hey,” I said softly. “You can breathe, you know.”She smiled weakly. “I am breathing.”“Barely.”She exhaled slowly and looked at Ava sleeping in her arms. “I’m just… worried.”I already knew about what. Still, I asked, “About my father?”She nodded. “Owen, what if he won't accept me?” Her voice dropped. “He refused to come to our wedding. What if nothing’s changed?”I squeezed her hand lightly. “A lot has changed,” I said. “Time has passed. And Ava’s here now.”“That doesn’t make it certain.”“He hasn’t met you,” I said firmly. “That’s the problem. He made his decision without knowing you. But once he meets you, gets to know you, he’ll love you.”Zoe looked at me, clearly uncertain. “Are you sure?”I smiled and spoke softly. “Of course I’m sure. You’re beautiful. You’re smart. And you’re holding the most beautiful girl in the world.” I leaned clo

  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    Her Name Is Ava

    OWEN'S POV It was late in the morning, I sat on the couch with my laptop open, finishing some work but my mind wasn’t on it. It was on Zoe. She sat beside me with a book resting on her belly. She turned the pages slowly. She looked peaceful. Strong. Like the past months had finally been kind to her. Things had been going well for months. That should’ve been enough to calm me. But I kept watching her. She shifted, then stood up slowly. She paused halfway up. She touched her belly and closed her eyes. I got up at once. “Zoe,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “Are you okay?” She looked at me and smiled softly, “I’m fine,” she said. “Braxton Hicks. This happens now.” I nodded but my chest still felt tight. “You sure? Or should we go to the hospital? Just to be safe.” She shook her head softly. “It’s still early. The doctor said this could happen. I promise, I’m okay.” I wanted to insist. But I let it go, since she sounded sure and I didn’t want every moment to be full of fear.

  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    Things Can Change

    OWEN'S POVComing back to Sydney should have felt like relief.The island was beautiful. The rest of our honeymoon was smooth and peaceful. The kind of peace that makes you forget everything else.But that kind of peace doesn't last. I’d learned that already. It shatters the moment you start believing it will last.Zoe moved more easily now. She walked through the house with steady steps, her shoulders relaxed and her face brighter than before.We were unpacking. I paused and stared at her.She smiled when she noticed I was staring.“I’m fine,” she looked at me and said.She seemed fine, so I wanted to believe that. But I couldn’t fully relax. Not until the baby is born.“I know.” I said softly.*******************Austin brought Jamie later in the day.As soon as Jamie saw Zoe, he ran to her and hugged her tightly.“I missed you so much,” Zoe whispered into his hair.“I missed you too, Mommy.” Jamie said.“Are you okay now?” he asked and moved back to look at her face. “You're not s

  • RIGHTFULLY MINE    For Now

    OWEN’S POVI felt the bed shift beside me. I thought it was just Zoe turning in her sleep. Then I heard my name, very softly.“Owen…”There was something in her voice that woke me up instantly.I sat up and faced her. She stood at the edge of the bed, holding the sheets with one hand and the other on her stomach.Her face was pale and she looked scared.“What is it?” I asked as I climbed out of bed.She didn’t respond immediately. She looked down.That’s when I saw it.Blood.Running down her leg.My heart seemed to stop for a moment.Fear hit me hard, but I didn’t show it. I couldn’t. Zoe was already panicking, I had to stay calm.“I’m here,” I said quickly as I moved toward her. I put my arms around her to keep her standing. “Hey. Look at me. Breathe.”She started crying, holding onto my shirt.“I don’t want to lose the baby,” she cried. “I can’t lose our baby, Owen.”“You won't,” I said firmly, even though my heart ached. “You won't lose anything. You're both going to be fine.”I

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