DREW.
Breakfast was prepared, yet a mourning nostalgia weighed on my heart. I would walk down the hallway and hear a bit of Laurel and Morel's jibber jabber; all words lost under tones that sounded loud and heavy. I shook my head in pain and continued walking into the shower in search of comfort in the heart. As the water rushed down the channel, it scrubbed away much of the pain that was tightening my muscles. "I am zoning out," I said softly, maybe just a whisper. Going on next, all thoughts were tethered to my wife, a cute smile crept on my face. "I love my wife, sitting dearly," I said, as his heart swelled with affection. I came out of the bathroom, refreshed and walked toward the bedroom in which I changed into a nice, crisp blue suit. The fabric was smooth against my skin. I picked up the bag and prepared to race off to work. . "Suiting up on a Monday," I chuckled internally, battling to chase away that saddening moment. "Honey, I'm off to work," my voice echoed in the walls of the house. One of those greetings that needed one of those warm hugs or soft kisses from my wife instead received emptiness from them. "How could she not even give me a proper goodbye?" I felt gut-wrenching guilt again. Out to the car now. The cold morning air swept gracefully across my face, washing away many tears. I hummed on my way to work along with the sounds from the car stereo: a good distraction from everything that had transpired. It was before I knew it that I was already at the company. "Good morning, sir," the security man welcomed me with a smile of warmth and welcome. "Welcome." I smiled back, grateful for the familiar face; "Thank you so much," I said, my voice a little brighter now. I walked towards my office, and on opening the door slightly, walked in. The familiar space was now a haven from the gloom of disappointment the morning had brought. "It's time to work," I said to myself, as almost a release washed over me. I resolved to leave the marriage problems at the door and dive straight into the task at hand. I flipped through papers that were scattered across my table, letting my eyes sweep through the familiar papers. Sifting through papers, my gaze rested on a brown envelope that bore a familiar logo- MJ Investment & Co. "I'm sure this is the reply from them," I said to myself in excitement, because this meant for me a letter from them, which I couldn't wait to read its contents. Just when I was about to propel the letter open, a knock came reverberating on the door. "Who is there?" I called out, my voice firm yet polite. "It's Williams, sir. Your PA, sir," his voice echoed through the door. "Come on in, Williams," I said in a welcoming voice. I saw him open the door and step inside with a smile. "Good morning, sir," he greeted cheerily. "Good morning, Williams," I smiled back. "I was just about to open this letter," I said, pointing to a brown envelope. "Oh, that letter? It's good news, sir," said Williams brightly with an excitement sparkling in his eyes. "A contract has been agreed to be signed by them," he said, sending a rush of excitement pouring back into me. "Oh my goodness, this is actually going to be a celebration!" I exclaimed, breaking into a huge grin, with all that happiness rushing through me. Williams and I laughed and shook hands. "Yes, sir, afterwards, if you please. Maybe a bar," he suggested, still, that grin remained present. "Okay, then that's amazing," I said, feeling very close to my PA. "That was just good by me, sir," Williams said a little apologetically. "I'll go back to work, then," he said, going to leave. "Thanks a lot," I shouted after him, my voice resonating across the office. Just then, after Williams exited my office, another knock was heard. I did not bother to ask who it was. "Come in," I said with cheer. That was Ashley, my receptionist; she looked so gorgeous, the way he moved her hips could. Such a short gown made her attractive, almost laying a mirror spotless and clear as to showing laps. "Ashley, what are you doing here?" I asked her right away. She was smiling and walking toward me. "I see someone is happy this morning," nibbling her fingers. Again, she laughed this time; it was soft and throaty, sending shivers rippling through my spine. "Oh, please, stop pretending as though you don't want to fuck me," she poured out with a voice that started out as an erotic sound before she removed her shirt and revealed her muscular chest and abs. Indeed, her full-dead breasts stared back at me, and I had to take it; the thing was already hard and straining against my pants. Leaning in, I kissed her-hard and passionately, desperate and hungry. Her mouth tasted of yearning-on her end and mine. Her body began to radiate heat, and I had to feel it. I lifted her into my inner office, heart hammering. "I want you so bad," she moaned, gripping my shirt from both hands. "I'm gonna fuck you so well, my love," I told her, disposing of all my clothes in no time. I pushed her down on the desk and opened her legs widely. My dick was already throbbing with need, and all that I could do was run my hands over her chest, down her abs, onto her thighs, leaving goosebumps on every inch of skin touched. I could feel her heart thumping under my fingertips while her rhythmically short and sharp gasps came. Down below I reached with my fingertips and I touched her V******* and stroked across her sopping folds. She moaned and arched back from that office desk. I could feel the tremors of her muscles under my fingers, and at that point in time, her entire being begged for more. With a finger, I slid inside her. The tight, wet vagina was clenching against me. Her moans grew louder as she grasped the sides of the desk with her hands. I withdrew my finger and cleaned it off by sucking. Sweet, salty essence. Then I looked at her with a desire-filled gaze. I'm going to fuck you so hard so that you'll not be able to walk tomorrow," I promised.LILIAN POV"I believe we need to visit the hospital right away," I pressed, my words tight from anxiety. Her flushed face combined with vacant eyes burned into my consciousness."Okay, Mom," Laurel muttered while she pushed herself to a standing position on her bed. She swayed and extended her hand to touch the wall to maintain her balance. I concentrated on managing my emotions while my heart squeezed in response.She whispered to Mom that she hadn't taken her bath yet."Can you take your bath?" I asked while keeping my eyes riveted on her shaking figure. Her weakness was starkly apparent. "Yes Mom I'll try," she answered through a courageous yet trembling voice. She moved towards the bathroom with careful steps while her body focused entirely on placing one foot before another.Watching her walk by herself brought me a flood of relief. The situation seemed less terrible than I had originally anticipated. At the bathroom doorway she reached but her head unexpectedly flicked to the s
NINAThe dam inside me broke as soon as the call with Audrey ended. Raw emotion hit me with incredible force as a tidal wave crashed over me. I entered the bathroom in a staggered state where the cool tiles failed to provide comfort against the unexpected heart freeze. Each sob ripped through my throat as its sound bounced off the flawless porcelain walls.I deeply wished I had listened to your advice, Dad! The words pushed out of my throat while each one pierced my heart with pain. Since that day I've carried the regret with me as a persistent pain lodged deep in my chest. I had always felt remorse over ignoring his advice and now it felt like an open, infected sore."Laurel! Laurel!" My mother-in-law Lilian's voice cut through my pain. The sound of Lilian’s voice acted as a brutal reminder that forced me to confront the present moment and the false front I needed to uphold.I expelled a deep, trembling breath marked by a "Hmmph" sound while I worked to regain my composure. My finge
Nina’s POV The silence was hard enough to cut with a knife. Now Drew came between us. He was breathing hard and teeth clenched together. Somehow, he found himself fighting to hold onto control as everything spiraled rapidly out of hand.” Her smile carried cruelty as her lips twisted upwards, having waited months possibly years for this exact moment. “Well,” I said, arms crossed. “What did you come here to do? Say it.” She pulled back a step and placed her manicured hand on the boy’s shoulder. “This,” she said dramatically, “is Ethan. He’s six years old. He likes dinosaurs. Peanut butter sandwiches. Building Lego cars. Just like his dad used to.” She looked at Drew. Drew’s face was pale. His lips parted, but nothing came out. The boy looked up at him, then at me. Confused, silent — too silent for a child. “I told you already,” she said, her voice sharper now. “We had one night. One mistake, as he calls it. But life doesn’t care if it was a mistake or not. Life keeps movi
Nina’s POV The kitchen smelled warm with the cooking of dinner. Nothing too fancy, but something that would make everyone feel full. I’d done everything just right: Morel’s vegetables, Drew’s steak, and Lilian’s cake. I hoped that perhaps it would settle things. We had been quiet all day, all because of Drew, and him being so distant in his own head. Morel chuckled at his mashed potatoes. Drew savored his steak and Lily looked as usual with a quiet look in her eyes. But she didn’t say much. There was something heavy around us, but we weren’t talking about it, really. Then, as I went to cut into my own food, there was a knock, knock from the front door. I froze. The silence broke. Drew didn’t hear it, either. He was so deep in his thoughts and didn’t see his steak as he ate it. I heard the tension rise. I directed my gaze first at him then at the door. “Take a look,” I said, trying not to reveal my nervousness with my normal voice yet my voice came out shaky. Drew didn’t even l
Lilian’s POV The house was quiet after breakfast. Drew left for the study to retrieve his bag while Laurel was cleaning the table accompanied by her gentle humming. I entered my room briefly to look at my phone screen. And there it was. A single message. Unknown Number. > “Because he left me… he will suffer.” My fingers tightened around the phone. As I tried to understand the text message a second one appeared on my phone. > “Watch what happens at his office.” The words on the screen made my stomach coil in discomfort. This wasn’t a prank. This was personal. And it was meant for me. I hurried back to the hallway where I almost bumped into Laurel. “Mom?” she asked, eyes wide. “What’s wrong?” I demanded his location as I pushed past her to reach him. “He’s by the door. He was just leaving—” I hurried to the entryway. “Drew!” He turned mid-step, briefcase in hand. “Yeah?” “Don’t go,” I said, breathless. “You need to see this. Now.” I handed him the phon
DREW POVWarm golden sunlight poured into the bed the next morning and gently wakened me. I blinked slowly while I reached across the bed searching instinctively for her warmth.But the sheets were cool. She wasn’t there. I sat up, rubbing my eyes. I looked toward the door which was half open and whispered to myself “She’s already awake.” “Early again.” I brushed my fingers through my hair while my body settled into the quiet morning atmosphere. There was no panic, no suspicion anymore. Not like in those first few days. I no longer paid attention to her minor changes such as her towel-folding method, her tea stirring instead of coffee, and the way she spoke my name with newfound gentleness.The accident was the explanation for all that I observed.The trauma. The memory gaps. The healing. After I embraced that truth something inside me found relief.I had her back. I had them back—Laurel, Morel, our home. The situation wasn't flawless but it held enough authenticity. At times the