LOGINElodie Standing near the cooker, I stir slowly at the pot, the steam rising around my face though my mind is filled.Mostly I wish for people to change but I also know that wishes are losing games, and if it were to be horses, beggars would ride on it, and I'd be far away from this mess I’m facing.But reality isn't a fairy tale. I know I cannot just disappear or wait for a miracle to walk up to me, but one thing is still sure, I won't back down.I'm done lurking around this penthouse, making empty wishes that won't change anything or even come to pass.And in the same way, I won't accept defeat, not today. Not after all these years of suffering alone raising Liam all by myself.I exhale deeply, then turn the knob, lowering the heat, an idea already concluded in my head.“I can't stay here anymore,” I puff out air. “I don't have to drag Travis into any of these.”Quickly I rush to the sink and turn on the facet, scrubbing my hands furiously. “Focus, Elodie… focus.” I grab the fluffy
TravisEveryone is moving in hurried steps, phone ringing nonstop, and keyboard buttons clicking in a continuous sequence when I walk in.I usually thrive in environments like this but today the noise drills into my skull, feeding the storm already raging inside my head rather than calming it.“Welcome, sir.”“Good morning, sir.”Their polite voices drizzle like drops of rain, but it only sounds like a drum to my head.“Move out of my way!” I snap, my phone still pressing tightly against my ear.Instantly they shift, some stumbling back as they make space and I walk past without glancing at any.I don’t stop until I get to my office and shut the door.I walk over to the window, staring far into the busy road, hand in my pocket while exhaling hard like I’d been holding my breath since I left King's school.“Take it easy, Travis,” my mother’s voice drifts from the other side of the phone. “Don’t take your frustration out on your employees.”I smirk, now sitting and leaning against the c
TravisStars scatter across the sky like nothing in the world is going wrong as I pull into the driveway speeding on the lonely road, The night passes slowly with the cloud standing in the distance when I eventually get back to my house. “Daddy!”Liam calls, rushing towards me. He crashes into me, arms wrapping around my waist like he always does. But it feels different this time.“Hey, champ,” I say, with a forced smile.“You return late today.” he mutters, almost sounding like he's playfully questioning my movement.“I was outside with a friend,” I mutter.Then he smiles and lifts his arms. “Carry me.”Exhaling quietly for half a second, I lower and pick him up, but as I walk a step, I see his mother, standing near the staircase. “Welcome back,” she says softly.I give a faint nod, still facing the hallway to my room.“Travis… Can we talk?” she says very calmly.“I’m exhausted.” I reply, and continue heading striding.“Please,” she insists, following a step. “Just for a few minute
TravisNathan’s voice cuts through the haze in my head. “You and I know you're not good with alcohol, so stop consuming more.”I scoff, rubbing a hand down my face before relaxing back into the couch. “It's Very complicated.”“Then make me understand,” he says quietly. “Because right now, all I’m seeing is you falling apart over something you should be fighting for.”A faint laugh slips out of me. “Fighting for what exactly?”“Your son, Liam.” he mutters.I lift my head slowly and shoot a glance at him. “He’s not my son,” then I pause, swallowing hard. “His Mason’s child, his blood.”Nathan exhales, squinting like he already knows I will give that answer.“Is that what you’re forcing yourself to believe now?” he asks, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips. “But it's true, no matter how much we try to deny it.” I shift the liquor in my face and take a bottle of water and drinks.“No,” Nathan counters, shaking his head repeatedly. “That’s the excuse you just want to present.”
Elodie Upon hearing the word come out from me, Travis’s face instantly drains of colour. “It can't be Mason of all people.” He chuckles bitterly, shaking his head.He's trying to steady something inside him but it seems not to be working. I can see it. The storm gathering behind his lashes, the tightness in his jaw.“I wish I am,” I whisper as my voice splinters and falls apart just like everything else is about to.I never imagined Mason would ever find out about his son, not after how much I have hidden him all these years.Travis fingers presses tight by his side as he glares at me, gritting through his teeth. “Then why the hell did you hide it from me?”“Because you never asked about it," I say quickly, stepping forward. My chest rising and falling like a tide. “And I was afraid to open up. But please, hear me out first."He scoffs, eyes narrowed. “Afraid, you said?” he repeats.“Mason…” My throat dries instantly around the name. “Mason was my ex-husband. The part of me I’ve spen
TravisLearning how to be a father to a child who had never called anyone “dad” before is a different experience I've never had before.Although everytime he says it, I'm still adjusting but for the past two weeks since I adopted my son, it has been a calmer moment.In fact the first time he called me ‘Daddy?’ I actually freeze, because it nearly breaks me, I just see my younger self in him.And it feels like my past experience repeating for the second time. I remember I used to be like that many years ago, having no father figure I could access.I puff out air, satisfied for giving Liam the same chance I was given by Mr. Albernathy when he took my mother and I. In my case, the sweet part is, Elodie and I are officially dating as well.A chuckle leaves my lips as I peck my little champs forehead. Then I slide into my Rolls Royce Boat Tail with Elodie. We put on the seat belt and glide towards the exit.The late afternoon sun filters through the tinted window, sinking into our skin as
Elodie “That was a bad sight to behold.” I hiss, dropping my back on the bed, then facing the ceiling.The way she curled those hands into his. And him, why would he brush a kiss on her hand. “Outch…” It hurts now.” I clench the bedsheet, rolling my eyes. “I hated it. Yes. But why the hell should
Travis The dim golden light from my bedside lamp sparkles faintly across my room, keeping me active as thoughts run through my head.I turn restlessly from side to side on my bed, trying to steady my focus in readiness to sleep but unfortunately, sleep is far from me.Everything that had happened
Travis The double satisfying message I carry in my mind makes my heart feel lighter. I imagine it's her I’m planning this for. When I walk through the door, the house feels quieter.“Vivian left.” the housekeeper says without me even asking.Of course she did. Probably after Elodie told her I did
Travis The building is quiet when I slowly walk in, flashing my eyes, not too wide as my senses study the silent gestures.A young lady in her late thirties made me squint for a moment, though not an angry one. I remember the general rule for every nonestaff. “Round up all tasks before working hou







