LOGINIvan’s hands cupped mine, his eyes glistening.“Emily,” he said, his voice thick. “You changed everything. I didn’t know what it meant to live fully until I saw you laugh. I didn’t know what it meant to love until I watched you hold Mila when she was scared, when she was sick, when she just needed s
E M I L YSix months later.The soft swell of violins filled the chapel air, and I blinked through a veil of tears as the double doors creaked open before me. My hand tightened around Mila’s tiny fingers, her giggle a spark of light in the stillness. She looked up at me with a beaming smile, radiant
I opened the box.“Will you marry me?”The room was silent for a heartbeat.Then Emily dropped to her knees and flung her arms around my neck.“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes. A million times, yes.”The room erupted.Mila squealed and clapped. Laura cried openly. Mikhail whooped. Elle burst into full sob
I couldn’t stop staring.“You’re going to burn a hole in me,” she teased, glancing at me through the mirror.“Can’t help it,” I said, my voice hoarse.She stood then, unwrapping the towel from her body. I looked away out of instinct, respect, habit, nerves, but she laughed and tossed a pair of tight
I V A NThe day after the courthouse verdict felt like the first real breath I’d taken in months. We’d finally won. Emily had full custody, Tristan was out of our lives for good, and Mila… Mila was safe. I thought that kind of peace would be enough to steady my nerves for a while. But now, standing
The final day of the hearing, when Tristan took the stand, it was like watching a stranger unravel.He was combative. Defensive. Sloppy. He tried to paint himself as the victim of a cruel mother who shut him out and poisoned his daughter’s mind. But under cross examination, it didn’t take long for h
E L L EJames was punctual.I was impressed.He was already waiting in his car when I got out of my building.My mother was right about one thing. He was tall, and very handsome. He looked a little intimidating, and had a stern look on his face, as if he was angry or annoyed about something.Maybe i
E L L EIt was finally Monday. I spent the entire previous day locked inside my room, and no matter how much Mina tried to cheer me up, nothing worked.She had gotten me food and drinks, and even tried to watch movies and series with me, but nothing worked.The pain and anger were still there. Like
E L L EAfter a few weeks of thinking about my parent's proposal, I had finally made up my mind. I would at least meet the men they had chosen for me, and go on a couple of dates. But, if it didn't work out, I would not go on any further.I sat in the kitchen, drinking coffee and eating some chocola
E L L EI packed in the last bit of clothes and zipped it up. My airport outfit was a pair of baggy jeans, a white tank top and a black leather jacket. I kept the accessories simple and wore a gold watch and a pair of diamond earrings.The flight was set to leave in an hour and a half.Mina knocked







