LoganIf someone had told me a week ago that I’d be standing at a park at night, watching Sylvia ride a merry-go-round like an excited child, I would’ve laughed.But here I was.And there she was, perched on one of those painted wooden horses, her laughter carried by the wind. Her petite body bounced gently with each rotation, her hands tightly gripping the golden pole. The ride wasn’t even fast, but the joy on her face made it feel like the whole world was spinning in that moment.She looked… free.Like someone who hadn’t been allowed to come out and play for a long time and had finally been set loose.“Logan!” she called out, waving from the horse. “Take a picture of me!”I smirked and held up my phone, pretending to take a shot, but I was too focused on memorizing the moment instead. She waved again, her red lipstick glowing under the soft park lights, her smile stretching wide and real.Eventually, the ride slowed to a stop, and she hopped off with the energy of a child coming dow
SylviaViolet was in the middle of telling me about a new hairstyle she wanted to try, something wild and curly, when my phone buzzed on the table.Logan.I smiled without meaning to, already knowing Violet had seen it from across the table.She wiggled her brows. “And there he is. Your mysterious billionaire.”“Can you behave for once? When did he become mysterious? ” I said, trying to hide the way my lips curled upward.She leaned in with a sly grin. “Is it a booty call or a coffee date?”“Violet!”She laughed so hard people turned to look at us.I picked up the phone and read the message:“Hey. Are you free to meet? There’s something I want to talk about. I’ll be at that café by 8.”I glanced at the time. 7:52 PM.“I have to go,” I said, grabbing my bag.“I knew it,” Violet smirked. “Go on, Romeo’s waiting. Don’t forget your lipstick. Men love nudes and red. But you should go for the red this evening”“I’ll call you tomorrow.”“You better.”The air was cooler now as I stepped out o
Sylvia The smell of fresh paint still clung stubbornly to my clothes, mixing with the faint scent of antiseptic and dust that always seemed to hover in hospital corridors. It was a scent I’d grown oddly accustomed to over the past few weeks, a quiet reminder of the transformation taking place, of long hours and late nights spent making sure every single detail came out just right.I stepped out of the newly renovated cancer ward and into the hallway, stretching my arms above my head as I blinked against the soft, golden glow of the setting sun. The light streamed through the tall windows in delicate shafts, casting warm, sleepy patterns on the floor. The corridor was quieter than usual, almost reverent in its silence, but inside me, there was no quiet to be found. My thoughts were a whirlwind, a tangled knot of checklists, pending updates, unresolved staff issues, and an endless parade of what’s next?My mind had become a restless machine, refusing to power down, even when my bod
Sylvia I arrived at the hospital early that morning, much earlier than usual. The city was still rubbing the sleep from its eyes, and the streets were quieter than I was used to. The air carried that soft hush that only exists before the world fully wakes up. As I approached the hospital, the building stood tall and serene against the pale morning sky, the entrance bathed in a calm golden hue from the rising sun.Inside, the halls echoed faintly with the soft, distant shuffle of nurses beginning their rounds and the occasional ding of elevators opening on empty floors. The scent of antiseptic hung faintly in the air, mingling with the comforting bitterness of the coffee I held in my hand, my first cup of the day, still hot, barely touched.I didn’t waste time with pleasantries or small talk. My footsteps were purposeful, echoing softly against the tiled floor as I made my way through the lobby and headed straight toward the Human Resources office. The administration wing was just beg
SylviaThe house had fallen into a comfortable hush again. The echoes of Victor’s dramatic exit had long disappeared down the driveway, and the earlier tension had been replaced by a calm stillness. Violet sat back in her seat with a sigh so theatrical, it could’ve earned her an award. She swirled what was left of her juice in her glass, staring at it like it had just broken her heart.I watched her for a second, smiling quietly. She had no idea what was coming.“I’ve been meaning to tell you something,” I said, deciding now was the moment.Her head shot up, eyes suddenly sharp and alert. “What? What happened? Why are you looking at me like that? Are you pregnant?”“Relax, nothing bad. And I'm not pregnant violet,” I said quickly, holding my hands up in defense. “Actually… it’s something I did for you.”Her eyebrows drew together, suspicious. “Sylvia… What did you do? You're scaring me, talk to me quickly!”“Okay, before you jump to conclusions or scream,” I started, trying not to lau
Sylvia The sun had dipped low in the sky by the time I pulled into Violet’s driveway. The horizon was painted in soft streaks of gold and lavender, and a faint breeze danced through the jacaranda trees that lined the edge of her family’s compound.I grabbed the small bag of groceries from the passenger seat, ice cream (cookies and cream, of course), a bottle of strawberry syrup I didn’t really need, and a tub of fried rice I picked up just in case Violet had forgotten I was coming.Again.I rang the bell, stepping back slightly as the porch light flickered on. A second later, the door swung open.“Look who actually came bearing gifts,” Violet said, eyebrows raised as she took the bag from my hands. “You brought rice? Are you trying to make me look bad in front of my own kitchen?”“I just didn’t trust you,” I said, kicking off my flats at the entrance. “After that call, I was ninety-percent sure I’d show up and find you eating biscuits in bed.”She gasped in mock offense. “How dare y