POV: LAUREN
The following days passed without me seeing Henry as often. He was buried in work, and his presence in the house became almost nonexistent. I used the mornings, while Theodor was at school, to go to my prenatal appointments. To my relief, my baby was developing well and healthy. The nausea had eased, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could finally breathe a little better.
I visited my mother and Kate, hoping to find some comfort in their presence. But reality hit me hard when I went to the bank to negotiate the debt my father had left behind.
“This is absurd!” My voice came out louder than I intended, but I didn’t care. I placed my hands on the desk and stared down at the manager in front of me. “These interest rates are outrageous! How do you expect me to pay the creditors when the bank is robbing me like this?”
The man before me wore an expensive suit and a
POV: LaurenI settled beside him, feeling the warm sand beneath my feet and following his gaze fixed on our children. Theodor was chasing after Noah, who could barely steady his little steps, while Alice clapped her hands, laughing, seated on a colorful towel. It was such a simple scene, yet so full of love, that it brought tears to my eyes.“This is my definition of paradise,” Henry murmured, his voice deep and soft, without taking his eyes off the kids. Then, he slowly turned his face to me, and his intense, silvery gaze softened when it met mine. “The only thing missing was you by my side.”“I’m sorry…” I whispered, letting a shy smile slip as I brought my hand to his face, caressing the line of his jaw. “I needed some time alone to think.” I leaned in and captured his lips in a slow, affectionate kiss. I felt the warmth and familiarity of that touch, and as
POV: Lauren“Today, the renowned CEO Ethan Walker was arrested for numerous crimes committed in his name, primarily for kidnapping his ex-wife, Lauren Becker, and attempting to murder her husband, the powerful billionaire Henry Carter. The police stated that Ethan was caught in the act of the crime. In addition to the charges related to the murders of Finn and Emma Carter, the fallen CEO Ethan is also accused of staging the suicide of the tycoon and former father-in-law, Daniel.The court sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Ethan Walker's inheritance was donated by his ex-wife to the employees and clients harmed by her ex-husband’s actions, with a portion of the money set aside for Violet Davis’s treatment,” the journalist announced on TV.“Lauren Becker Carter has proven herself to be a woman of strength and resilience, worthy of admiration, perseverance, and compassion. He
POV: HENRYMy blood boiled.“Not me!” Lauren shouted, landing a precise knee strike to Ethan’s abdomen. He doubled over in pain, letting out a choked groan. She shoved him hard and tried to run, but a gunshot shattered the silence of the night, the sharp sound stopping her in her tracks.Lauren froze, raising her hands, her body rigid, her chest rising and falling with short, rapid breaths.“You’re still a disobedient bitch,” Ethan spat, his eyes burning with rage.That was the final straw. I stepped out from my hiding spot, my gun steady in my hands, the sight locked on his chest.“Drop the gun, Ethan, now. You’re surrounded,” I said, my voice hard and deep, each syllable laced with menace.He glanced at me, surprised. That was the moment Lauren needed. She ran toward me without hesitation, and I w
POV: HENRYThe sound of the alarm clock echoed, slicing through the silence of the early morning. I stirred in bed, still groggy, and reached out for Lauren, searching for the warmth of her body.“Sweetheart, it’s time…” I mumbled, but my hand found only the cold, empty sheet.I snapped awake, my body tense, and sat up abruptly. Furthermore, I glanced at the alarm clock, which read two in the morning.“Why the hell is it going off at this hour?” I grumbled, shutting off the annoying noise with a sharp movement.When I turned on the bedside lamp, my eyes were drawn to a folded piece of paper left on the nightstand.“What’s this?” I murmured, my voice hoarse and laced with unease, running a nervous hand through my hair before grabbing the paper. As I unfolded and read it, my eyes widened, sleep vanishing instantly. My entire body heated with a mix of anger and worry. “Lauren… what have you done?”The note, scribbled with the haste I recognized in the shaky strokes of her handwriting, re
POV: LAURENAfter that chaotic night with Violet, the house’s security was tightened. Automatic gates, alarms, and 24-hour surveillance. Even so, the trauma kept me from sleeping. To try to ease my mind, I decided to write. The words started to flow, and for the first time, I seriously considered publishing a book. A raw, real account of my life and how I gained children who, though not mine by blood, became my reason for living, making me feel like a mother even before my own daughter was born.While I was reviewing what I’d written, my phone buzzed on the table. The number was unknown. My body froze for a few seconds, a wave of alertness washing over me.“Who could that be?” I murmured, my breathing heavy and my hands sweating.I took a deep breath, tapped the screen, and brought the phone to my ear.“Hello?” My voice came out low, hesitant.On the other end, an eerie silence. My heart raced.“We need to talk, Lauren,” a male voice said quickly, laced with tension from the other sid
POV: LAUREN“Violet, do you think you can give Noah everything he needs right now, the way things are?” I said in a low, steady tone, careful not to startle her. “You’ll always be his mother, and nothing will ever change that—not time, not anyone. But for now… please, let me take care of him for you. Just until you’re okay.”She squeezed her tear-filled eyes shut and pressed her nose into the baby’s hair, breathing deeply as if she wanted to hold onto that moment forever.“He’s so beautiful…” she murmured, her voice choked with emotion, kissing his forehead with trembling tenderness. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?”My heart ached at the fragility in her voice.“Yes, Violet… he’s absolutely beautiful,” I replied in a near whisper, keeping my gaze steady on hers.“He has my dad’s nose, you know?” she said suddenly, her red-rimmed eyes gleaming as she looked at me. “And my mom’s smile…”“Really? That’s wonderful, Violet,” I agreed softly, taking another cautious step forward. “Can I hold him