LOGINOlivia A few hours later…The room had become quieter.The storm outside had finally begun to settle, leaving the world beyond the windows strangely peaceful.My little girl rested comfortably in my arms as I gently breastfed her. Her tiny fingers curled against me, her small face peaceful as she fed.I couldn't stop looking at her. She was so beautiful.The door opened, and Axel stepped inside.“I just got off the phone with your family.”I looked up. “They're coming?”He nodded. “I sent my private helicopter to bring them here. They're already on their way.”I instantly felt so relieved. “Thank you.”He walked closer, and stopped beside my bed. His arms gently wrapped around me, careful not to disturb the baby, and his lips brushed against my hair.I closed my eyes as that familiar scent immediately surrounded me… Axel's scent.For nine long months, I had missed it more than I could ever explain. My body instinctively relaxed against him.Nine months.Nine entire months without him
OliviaSix months later…“Push, Olivia! You need to push harder!”The nurse's urgent voice echoed through the delivery room.My forehead was drenched in sweat, strands of damp hair clinging to my skin as I lay exhausted on the hospital bed. My fingers gripped the sheets so tightly that my knuckles had turned white, while my entire body trembled beneath the unbearable strain of labor.Another contraction tore through me.A cry escaped my lips.“Ah!”“That's it! Push, Olivia! please just a little more!”I squeezed my eyes shut and gathered whatever strength I had left.Then I pushed harder.The pain intensified until it felt like my entire body was being torn apart from the inside. My breathing came out in ragged gasps. Every muscle in my body felt exhausted, and yet I knew I couldn't stop.My baby was coming.I had to keep going.My eyes instinctively wandered around the room. The nurses were beside me. Mrs. Johnson was somewhere nearby, anxiously waiting, but there was no familiar fac
Olivia My heart began pounding violently as the memory became clearer. Carl walked toward me, and Jasmine followed him.They were coming toward me to save me… At least, that was what I had believed. Hope had filled my heart. With the last of my strength, I had reached toward Jasmine. “Jasmine…” My little hand had stretched toward her. I had expected her to help me. Instead, she had looked down at me with an expression I could never have imagined seeing on her face. Then she had slapped my hand away. “You don't deserve good things, Anna.” She had stepped closer. “I deserve the better life because I'll always be better and prettier than you.” Her eyes had been filled with jealousy. “I'll take the life that should have been yours. I'll have the education. I'll have the things you were supposed to have because you don't deserve to be better than me. You will never be greater than me, Anna.” And then the memory blurred. My hand flew over my mouth as I let out a horrified gasp.
Olivia “Axel, you dare come late today? I've been waiting for you.” “I'm sorry, Anna. My doctor stopped by the house to check on my eyes… I couldn't leave the house on time.” “It's alright. Come on, let's go to the swing so that you can tell me all about your day… Watch your steps.” *** My eyes slowly opened. For several seconds, I simply stared at the unfamiliar white ceiling above me, my mind completely blank. Where was I? I glanced around and saw the medical equipment beside me, the white walls, and the scent of disinfectant… A hospital? Then everything came rushing back. My hand immediately flew to my stomach. My heart hammered against my ribs as I felt the hard, familiar roundness beneath my palm. My baby… My baby was safe. A trembling sigh of relief escaped my lips. “Thank you, Lord…” Slowly, I tried to push myself upright. The moment I lifted my upper body, however, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and black dots danced across my vision. I immediately closed my ey
Olivia Four months later… “Xavier! Be careful with that water gun!” Mrs. Johnson's worried voice rang through the bakery, followed by the sound of a child's laughter. The little boy darted across the small shop, his tiny hands gripping a bright blue water gun as he ran around with all the energy a five-year-old could possibly possess. He squealed happily, aiming the toy at an empty corner before running off again. “Xavier, I'm serious!” Mrs. Johnson called after him. “Don't point that thing at the customers!” Her warning only made him laugh harder. I shook my head with amusement as I carefully carried the tray of freshly baked cupcakes out of the kitchen. The sweet aroma of vanilla and butter followed me as I walked toward the glass display case near the entrance, where all our freshly baked treats were arranged for customers to see. Slowly, I placed the tray inside and began arranging the cupcakes neatly. The golden-brown tops were decorated with swirls of creamy frosting, e
Olivia “Do you really have to go?” Mom's tearful voice stopped me just as I was about to reach for my bag. I turned around and found her standing in Shawn's arms, one hand clutching his shirt while the other hurriedly wiped away the tears slipping down her cheeks. My heart clenched. Seeing her like this made leaving even harder. For the past two months, I had watched my family worry over me, surround me with love, and do everything they could to help me heal. Now, I was the one causing Mom more pain by choosing to leave. But this was something I had to do. Slowly, I let my bag slip from my fingers and drop to the floor. “Mom…” The moment she saw me walking toward her, she immediately pulled away from Shawn and hurried into my arms. Her arms wrapped tightly around me as a painful sob escaped her lips. “My baby…” I closed my eyes and held her just as tightly. Tears gathered in my eyes almost immediately. For a second, I wanted to let them fall. I wanted to cry with her, tel
AxelI had lost count of how many times I had walked from one end of my office to the other.The day was finally here.The day the final decision would be made.The day I would know exactly where I stood in the Reynolds Group.My stomach tightened at the thought.Years of work. Years of sacrifice.
OliviaBy the time I drove into my apartment complex, the sky had already darkened. I parked my car in my usual spot, turned off the engine, and just sat there.I rested my forehead briefly against the steering wheel and let out a slow, weary sigh.Today had just been… No—everything lately had been
Jasmine My eyes instantly widened in shock. Did I hear that right? Did she really just say that? Vincent’s… first wife? Wait... No. That couldn’t be right. That had to be some kind of a joke, right? I looked at the woman standing in front of Axel… Sarah, who looked far too calm for someone wh
Axel The hospital lights were the first thing I noticed when I pushed through the revolving doors and rushed forward. Derek and Jose were right behind me, walking as fast as I was as I thought of one person… My father. The call had come last night when I was in an urgent meeting with some of our







