LOGINA week had passed since the chaotic Thanksgiving, and Andrea was determined to move forward.She stood in the living room of the penthouse, flipping through a bridal magazine, her eyes lingering on a dress with delicate lace and a soft A-line silhouette. Mindy lounged on the couch nearby, laptop open, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she searched for venues. The morning sun streamed through the tall windows, casting warm gold across everything it touched.Andrea's small baby bump was getting more noticeable now. She wore a fitted cream sweater that showed it off, and she absentmindedly rubbed it as she turned another page of the magazine. The bump had become real to her in a way it wasn't before—a constant reminder that her life was changing in ways she was still processing."So, today's the day," Andrea said, smiling up at Mindy. "Dress shopping. I can't believe we're actually doing this."Mindy grinned, looking up from her screen. Her eyes were bright with excitement. "I've
The living room felt smaller after Christine stormed out. The fire in the fireplace crackled on, but the warmth did little to ease the heavy silence that had settled over the three of them.Garrett sank back onto the couch, his face pale, eyes distant. He rubbed his hands over his face, shoulders slumping as the weight of what he had just heard finally hit him fully.“I… I never believed you,” he whispered, voice breaking. “All those years even when you tried to tell me. You were just a boy. And I… I chose her over you. How long, son? How long did this go on?”Marcus stood a few feet away, arms crossed tightly over his chest like he was trying to hold himself together. His voice was quiet, almost detached, as if saying it out loud made it real again.“From when I was fifteen until I left at eighteen,” he said. “She started small. Touches when no one was looking. Then it got worse. She would come to my room at night, threatened me if I told anyone, she’d turn it on me, make sure you be
Marcus stormed into the living room, phone clutched tightly in his hand, heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest. The warm light from the lamps and the low hum of conversation between his father and Mindy felt jarring against the storm raging inside him. His skin was still prickling from the cool night air on the patio, but the heat of anger burned hotter, pushing him forward.Garrett looked up from the couch, his expression shifting from relaxed to confused in an instant. “Marcus? What’s going on, son? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”Marcus stopped in the middle of the room, breathing hard, chest rising and falling rapidly. “Dad… I have something very interesting I’d like you to listen to.”Garrett’s brow furrowed deeper, setting his coffee cup down on the side table. “What are you talking about? And why do you look like that?”Before Marcus could answer, the patio door burst open behind him. Christine rushed in, her face flushed, eyes wide with panic.
Dinner had already ended, the plates cleared and the table wiped down. The family had moved to the living room for coffee and quiet conversation. The fire in the fireplace crackled softly, casting warm light across the room, but the air felt heavier than it should have.Mindy sat on the couch beside Garrett, Marcus’s father, chatting politely about her fashion work and how she had met Marcus through Henry and Andrea. Garrett was kind, asking genuine questions and laughing at her stories about late-night sewing sessions and chaotic runway shows. Mindy tried to stay engaged, but her eyes kept drifting to Marcus, who was sitting a little seats away, quiet and tense.Marcus had been like that since they sat down for dinner — polite on the surface, but his shoulders were rigid, his responses short. Mindy could see the strain in the way he gripped his coffee mug, the way his gaze kept flicking toward the kitchen door.Then Marcus stood up abruptly. “I need some air,” he muttered, not waiting
The house was larger than Mindy had expected — a sprawling, elegant two-story home with perfectly manicured lawns and a long driveway lined with tall trees. As Marcus parked the car, the engine’s hum faded into silence. “I love you,” he said suddenly, the words slipping out like he couldn’t hold them back any longer.Mindy’s eyes softened. She leaned over and kissed him softly. “I love you too. Now let’s go face the past together.”But Marcus didn’t move.Mindy turned to him, noticing how tightly his hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles pale against the dark leather. “Hey,” she said softly, reaching over to rest her hand on his arm. “We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready. We can turn around right now. No questions asked.”Marcus stared at the front door for a long second, jaw clenched so hard the muscle jumped. Then he let out a slow breath and shook his head.“No, I need to see my dad,” he said quietly. “It’s been years. But… thank you. For being here.”Mindy squeezed hi
Mindy and Marcus remained in the nursery long after Henry and Andrea had left them locked inside. The initial anger had faded into a heavy, exhausted silence. They had partly finished assembling the last shelf together, working side by side with minimal words, but the tension between them had slowly shifted into something more fragile…something closer to understanding.Marcus finally broke the silence, his voice low. “So they really locked us in here.”Mindy let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Of course they did. Andrea’s been dying to play matchmaker since the breakup. I should’ve known.”Marcus rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. “Henry’s been pushing me to talk to you too. Guess they got tired of waiting.”Another beat of silence.Mindy crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. “So… what now? We just stand here until they decide we’ve suffered enough?”Marcus hesitated, then walked over and sat on the floor near the window, back against the wall. “We could finish w
Henry leaned in and kissed her softly, his hand resting protectively on her bump.“You’ll see soon.”Andrea narrowed her eyes at him, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “You’re being very mysterious today, Mr. Moore.”He only smirked, helping her up from the bench. “Come on. Let’s go.”They left
Soft morning light filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, casting a warm golden glow across the living room. She was still lying on the couch, her head resting on Henry’s bare chest, his arm wrapped loosely around her back. Their legs were tangled together under a cashmere t
The garage door had barely closed behind them when Andrea grabbed Henry’s hand and pulled him toward the private elevator. They were both still laughing, breathless from the chase, adrenaline mixing with pure, burning desire.“You’re actually insane, you know that right.” Henry muttered, but he was
Henry barely had time to pull the car fully onto the quiet side street before Andrea unbuckled her seatbelt.“Baby, what are you…”But Andrea was already moving. She reached over and found the lever on the side of his seat, yanking it back. The driver’s seat slid backward with a smooth mechanical w







