Cassandra hadn’t always been a people person. In fact, Leah’s mother was known to be more reserved—kept to herself, hardly ever went out except for family obligations or church on Sundays. She liked the quiet, the calm. She never cared much for noisy gatherings or social events, but all of that had begun to change since everything that happened with Leah, Jeremy, and the chaos they had all just barely escaped from.Maggie had played a big role in that change.Their connection had been unexpected. It had started with shared concern—two mothers deeply shaken by the dangers their children had faced, both grateful to have them back safe. It quickly blossomed into something softer, more beautiful. Friendship. The kind that made Cassandra laugh more, the kind that made Maggie feel lighter.Cassandra began visiting Maggie’s art studio, something she would have never done before. She would sit on a stool by the window while Maggie worked on a canvas, sipping tea and talking about everything f
The celebration roared on with laughter. Glasses clinked and the warm hum of live music floated around the event hall. Candlelit chandeliers sparkled above the heads of elite guests, casting a golden glow that made everything look soft, beautiful, and magical. The air was rich with scents of exotic perfumes, delicious food, and champagne.“Congratulations, Maggie,” Cassandra said again, squeezing Maggie's hand gently.Maggie gave her a bashful smile, still overwhelmed from the surprise proposal. “Thank you, Cassandra. I still feel like I’m dreaming.”Casa chuckled. “Oh, it’s real. And it’s well deserved. You and Alfred are finally getting your happy ending.”Leah stood just beside them and leaned in, her eyes filled with emotion. “You do deserve to be happy, Maggie. After all you and Alfred have been through... it’s time.”Maggie’s lips trembled a little as she nodded. “Thank you, Leah. That means a lot.”Jeremy arrived shortly, his eyes twinkling with warmth. He reached for his mothe
The music had slowed, now playing something softer, gentle instrumentals that swayed like a whisper. It filled the background as guests settled into a more relaxed rhythm, sitting at tables, clinking glasses, sharing quiet laughter. The earlier excitement of the proposal had mellowed into warm joy, like a comforting hug that held the night together.Maggie sat beside Alfred, tears still forming every now and then as more guests stopped by to offer their congratulations. Alfred held her hand and kissed her temple gently now and then. He looked younger somehow, not in his face, but in the way his eyes danced. He looked like a man who had found peace again, like someone who had been through the fire and come out stronger.Cassandra hadn’t left Maggie’s side for too long either. She leaned close, teasing, “You better let me pick your wedding gown. I already have ideas.”Maggie laughed, still shy. “You’ll go for something dramatic. I know you.”“And why not?” Cassandra grinned. “This love
Most people had gone. The event hall had begun to empty. Waiters moved about clearing plates, the tables that were occupied and busy now mostly bare. Only a few people remained—close friends, staff, and some family still exchanging last laughs and hugs before leaving.Noah finally found the chance to really catch up with Leah's mom.He’d been trying to get a moment alone with her since he arrived, but she seemed too occupied, being pulled here and there as the event planner. But now, finally, she stood by herself, sipping orange juice and looking really happy.He walked up to her with a boyish smile. “Mama Bear, you look so different.”Cassandra turned to him, her eyes lighting up. “Different good, different bad?”He chuckled. “Good, of course. You're glowing, and you look very happy and even younger.”Cassandra placed a hand on her chest like the compliment had hit home. “I know, right. Thank you, my boy. You don't look bad yourself.”Noah scratched his head, slightly shy. “The trai
Noah couldn’t sleep.The wind wasn’t soft and peaceful anymore. It had turned bitter and cold, like something had changed in the air. He sat on the edge of his bed, still fully dressed. His phone was in his hand, his thumb hovering over Elizabeth’s number again.He had already called three times tonight.Still no answer.Still switched off.Something was off. Deep down, he knew it. And the more he tried to shake it off, the stronger the feeling grew. It was like trying to ignore smoke in a room. It kept stinging his eyes and choking his lungs.He stood up and walked around the room, his fingers running through his hair. “If Elizabeth had travelled, Leah would’ve told me,” he said out loud to himself. “She would’ve said something.”Noah hated this feeling. This strange silence. The way no one was saying anything clear. It felt like being tossed around in the dark, no clue where to turn.He stopped pacing and looked at the phone again.He didn’t want to believe anything bad had happened
Noah sat still, his eyes staring blankly at the sky above. Leah was beside him , but she wasn't speaking. She just let him be. He couldn’t think clearly. He couldn’t breathe properly either.The atmosphere felt too small, too dark, too full of pain.His heart was heavy. Too heavy to carry.She was gone.Elizabeth.The love of his life.The woman who showed him that love wasn’t supposed to hurt, wasn’t supposed to be a battle of pride or pain. She made him feel like a man, like someone worthy of being loved. She healed parts of him that he didn’t even know were broken. She lit up the corners of his soul that had been dark for too long.He leaned forward, placed his elbows on his knees, and buried his face in his hands.It wasn’t supposed to end like this.He closed his eyes and let the memories take him.— — —He remembered the first day they met, like it had just happened. It was at one of Jeremy’s casual in-house parties—nothing too loud, just a few friends, drinks, music, laughter,
The afternoon sun hung lazily in the sky as Noah parked his scooter outside Cassandra’s new house. The house was simple but cozy. Neat hedges and bright flowers swayed gently in the breeze. In one hand, he carried a brown bag filled with fresh fruits. This was something he brought every time he visited. Cassandra and Leah had always liked it. It was his small way of saying “thank you” and showing love. Today, it felt like the only strength he had left to give.He walked up to the door and knocked softly. Cassandra opened the door a few minutes later. She looked radiant, her hair tied back. She smiled warmly when she saw him.“Noah,” she said softly.“Good afternoon, Mama Bear,” he greeted, forcing a weak smile.He handed her the brown bag.She opened it and her eyes lit up just a little. “Watermelons! Thank you, my dear boy. You always remember.”He nodded slowly. “I know they’re your favorite.”She took a closer look at him then, her smile fading as concern filled her gaze. His eye
Noah zipped up the side of his black duffel bag and tossed in one last folded shirt. His room felt empty, but not in a peaceful way. The walls were still the same soft cream color. The picture of him and Elizabeth still stood on the bedside table, staring back at him like a ghost of laughter and lost love. But everything else had been stripped down. Clothes packed, shelves cleared, shoes lined up by the door like soldiers ready for one final march.He was done pretending.The air was still and heavy, like it was holding its breath. Then came a soft knock on the door. He froze for a second, eyes closing briefly, already knowing who it would be.The door creaked open, and Leah stepped in.Her face was tired. There were shadows under her eyes, and her shoulders were tense. But she still carried that air of quiet strength, even though it seemed to be slipping through the cracks today.“You’re really leaving?” she asked, her voice low.Noah didn’t look at her at first. He folded another s
The early morning light streamed into the office as Leah sat across from Jeremy in the boardroom. Her hands rested on the smooth table, fingers gently drumming a rhythm born out of thought, not nerves. Papers were neatly stacked in front of them, along with two cups of untouched coffee.They hadn’t had the time to have this conversation for weeks—maybe even months. But now that the chaos had calmed and the storm had passed, it was time.Leah was the first to speak.“So,” she said softly, not sure how else to begin. “What happens now?”Jeremy leaned back in his chair, his eyes calm but attentive. “With what?”“Our companies,” she said. “They were merged for a reason. That reason no longer exists. Do you… do you have plans to separate them?”Jeremy didn’t answer immediately. He looked at her, really looked at her, as though trying to see past the question into what she was truly asking. When he finally spoke, his voice was measured and thoughtful.“Is it necessary?” he asked.Leah blink
Maggie stepped out of the car, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation. The afternoon sun shone brightly. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched her purse.Alfred stepped out of the car after her, noticing the anxiety etched across her face. He gently reached for her hand and held it firmly. "Do you want me to go in with you?"Maggie hesitated. "No, Alfred. You should probably go back home. It’s nothing I can't handle, I’m sure."But Alfred wasn’t having it. He squeezed her hand with gentle reassurance. "I insist. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together."That melted her resolve. She smiled faintly and nodded. "Okay. Thank you."Together, hand in hand, they walked up to the door. Maggie inhaled deeply and pressed the bell. After a second, she turned the knob and pushed the door open.The aroma of delicious food instantly filled their nostrils. It smelled like fresh spices, grilled chicken, and something sweet baking in the oven. For a moment, Maggie forgot her anxiety."Hello
The atmosphere seemed to have changed for good. It felt like joy had finally taken root and was blooming beautifully. After so many years of tears, pain, betrayal, and heartbreak, Maggie was finally getting her fairy tale. And the man holding her heart? None other than Alfred, the same man she’d loved deeply in the past, the one who’d made her cry, and now, the one making her smile again.A wedding was being planned.Yay!It wasn’t just any wedding. It was Maggie and Alfred’s wedding. And it was going to be beautiful.Everyone was excited and anticipating the D day.The two lovebirds were like teenagers, always whispering sweet things into each other’s ears. Sometimes, they'd sneak out of the house just to take long walks or go on simple dinner dates, even though everyone already knew they were deeply in love.They were always on the phone with each other. Alfred could just drop Maggie off and still call to check on her.Maggie would blush whenever Alfred told her she looked beautifu
Noah zipped up the side of his black duffel bag and tossed in one last folded shirt. His room felt empty, but not in a peaceful way. The walls were still the same soft cream color. The picture of him and Elizabeth still stood on the bedside table, staring back at him like a ghost of laughter and lost love. But everything else had been stripped down. Clothes packed, shelves cleared, shoes lined up by the door like soldiers ready for one final march.He was done pretending.The air was still and heavy, like it was holding its breath. Then came a soft knock on the door. He froze for a second, eyes closing briefly, already knowing who it would be.The door creaked open, and Leah stepped in.Her face was tired. There were shadows under her eyes, and her shoulders were tense. But she still carried that air of quiet strength, even though it seemed to be slipping through the cracks today.“You’re really leaving?” she asked, her voice low.Noah didn’t look at her at first. He folded another s
The afternoon sun hung lazily in the sky as Noah parked his scooter outside Cassandra’s new house. The house was simple but cozy. Neat hedges and bright flowers swayed gently in the breeze. In one hand, he carried a brown bag filled with fresh fruits. This was something he brought every time he visited. Cassandra and Leah had always liked it. It was his small way of saying “thank you” and showing love. Today, it felt like the only strength he had left to give.He walked up to the door and knocked softly. Cassandra opened the door a few minutes later. She looked radiant, her hair tied back. She smiled warmly when she saw him.“Noah,” she said softly.“Good afternoon, Mama Bear,” he greeted, forcing a weak smile.He handed her the brown bag.She opened it and her eyes lit up just a little. “Watermelons! Thank you, my dear boy. You always remember.”He nodded slowly. “I know they’re your favorite.”She took a closer look at him then, her smile fading as concern filled her gaze. His eye
Noah sat still, his eyes staring blankly at the sky above. Leah was beside him , but she wasn't speaking. She just let him be. He couldn’t think clearly. He couldn’t breathe properly either.The atmosphere felt too small, too dark, too full of pain.His heart was heavy. Too heavy to carry.She was gone.Elizabeth.The love of his life.The woman who showed him that love wasn’t supposed to hurt, wasn’t supposed to be a battle of pride or pain. She made him feel like a man, like someone worthy of being loved. She healed parts of him that he didn’t even know were broken. She lit up the corners of his soul that had been dark for too long.He leaned forward, placed his elbows on his knees, and buried his face in his hands.It wasn’t supposed to end like this.He closed his eyes and let the memories take him.— — —He remembered the first day they met, like it had just happened. It was at one of Jeremy’s casual in-house parties—nothing too loud, just a few friends, drinks, music, laughter,
Noah couldn’t sleep.The wind wasn’t soft and peaceful anymore. It had turned bitter and cold, like something had changed in the air. He sat on the edge of his bed, still fully dressed. His phone was in his hand, his thumb hovering over Elizabeth’s number again.He had already called three times tonight.Still no answer.Still switched off.Something was off. Deep down, he knew it. And the more he tried to shake it off, the stronger the feeling grew. It was like trying to ignore smoke in a room. It kept stinging his eyes and choking his lungs.He stood up and walked around the room, his fingers running through his hair. “If Elizabeth had travelled, Leah would’ve told me,” he said out loud to himself. “She would’ve said something.”Noah hated this feeling. This strange silence. The way no one was saying anything clear. It felt like being tossed around in the dark, no clue where to turn.He stopped pacing and looked at the phone again.He didn’t want to believe anything bad had happened
Most people had gone. The event hall had begun to empty. Waiters moved about clearing plates, the tables that were occupied and busy now mostly bare. Only a few people remained—close friends, staff, and some family still exchanging last laughs and hugs before leaving.Noah finally found the chance to really catch up with Leah's mom.He’d been trying to get a moment alone with her since he arrived, but she seemed too occupied, being pulled here and there as the event planner. But now, finally, she stood by herself, sipping orange juice and looking really happy.He walked up to her with a boyish smile. “Mama Bear, you look so different.”Cassandra turned to him, her eyes lighting up. “Different good, different bad?”He chuckled. “Good, of course. You're glowing, and you look very happy and even younger.”Cassandra placed a hand on her chest like the compliment had hit home. “I know, right. Thank you, my boy. You don't look bad yourself.”Noah scratched his head, slightly shy. “The trai
The music had slowed, now playing something softer, gentle instrumentals that swayed like a whisper. It filled the background as guests settled into a more relaxed rhythm, sitting at tables, clinking glasses, sharing quiet laughter. The earlier excitement of the proposal had mellowed into warm joy, like a comforting hug that held the night together.Maggie sat beside Alfred, tears still forming every now and then as more guests stopped by to offer their congratulations. Alfred held her hand and kissed her temple gently now and then. He looked younger somehow, not in his face, but in the way his eyes danced. He looked like a man who had found peace again, like someone who had been through the fire and come out stronger.Cassandra hadn’t left Maggie’s side for too long either. She leaned close, teasing, “You better let me pick your wedding gown. I already have ideas.”Maggie laughed, still shy. “You’ll go for something dramatic. I know you.”“And why not?” Cassandra grinned. “This love