The scent of home was a welcome change for Kade as he stepped through the familiar threshold, his steps accompanied by the soft click-clack of his crutches. Lily, ever the efficient coordinator, had managed to synchronize the return from the hospital with a semblance of normalcy for Kade.In the midst of this orchestrated chaos, the doorbell chimed. Bella, with her young son Asher in tow, entered with a warm smile. Lily greeted them with a tired but genuine smile, a mix of exhaustion and relief etched on her face."How are you holding up, Lily?" Bella inquired, her eyes reflecting genuine concern.Lily, momentarily caught off guard, felt a lump forming in her throat. "Honestly, Bella, I feel like a whale. I'm huge, can't bend properly, and every step feels like a marathon."Bella chuckled, her hand patting Lily's gently. "Oh, sweetheart, it's the hormones talking. You're growing a tiny miracle inside you. And trust me, every discomfort will be forgotten once you hold your little angel
The rhythmic knocking on the washroom door startled Bella from her thoughts. Reid's voice echoed through the door, urging her to hurry up as they were running late for the gala. A sense of urgency permeated the air, and Bella, still seated on the toilet, took a deep breath to compose herself."I'll be out in a minute," she replied, her voice managing to sound casual despite the whirlwind of emotions within her.Bella carefully concealed the positive pregnancy test, sliding it back into its box. She stowed the box away in her cosmetics drawer, a hidden corner where the secret could remain undisturbed. As she washed her hands, she couldn't help stealing a glance at the test hidden among her beauty products.Her heart raced, caught between excitement and trepidation. The magnitude of the revelation hung in the air, but she made a conscious decision to keep it to herself for now. Tonight was about Reid and the meaningful event he had organized – a fundraiser for homeless children, a cause
An alarm clock blared in the lavish bedroom of the Livingston mansion. Its relentless beeping cut through the heavy veil of Bella's dreams, jolting her awake. She groaned, rubbing her eyes and squinting at the blinding morning light that streamed through her satin drapes.Another day, she thought as she dragged herself out of the four-poster bed that was more fit for a princess than a teenager. The clock read 6:30 AM, a cruel reminder that it was time for her to begin another day in the glittering cage that was her life.Bella's parents, Richard and Isabella Livingston, were influential figures in the world of finance and the social elite. The Livingston name was synonymous with power and wealth, and Bella was their only child, the heir to their vast fortune. Yet, despite the opulence surrounding her, she couldn't shake the emptiness that gnawed at her soul.She pushed open the heavy, ornate door to the ensuite bathroom adjacent to her bedroom. It was a space that rivaled the most opu
Bella's prestigious private school, St. Margaret's Academy, was a realm of privilege, where the children of the city's elite mingled and formed alliances that would shape their futures. It was a place of beauty and ambition, where status and appearance were paramount. Despite her own wealth, Bella had always felt like an outsider in this glittering world.As she stepped onto the campus, the grandeur of the school buildings and manicured gardens surrounded her. Her designer uniform, impeccable makeup, and the silver necklace received from Lupe made her look the part of a wealthy heiress, but beneath the façade, she was still the introverted girl who liked to hide in her bedroom and devour novels.The morning sun filtered through the leaves of towering oak trees, casting dappled shadows on the path ahead. Bella watched as groups of students huddled together, sharing laughter and secrets. She envied their camaraderie, the ease with which they navigated the intricate social web of the sch
Bella and Lily emerged from the shopping mall with their fashionable treasures from their successful spree. As they strolled towards the car, Bella's phone chimed with an incoming call. She pulled it out of her purse to check the caller ID. It was her mother, Isabella."Hello?" Bella answered cautiously, not knowing what to expect from her mother's call."Bella, darling!" Isabella's voice burst through the phone, her tone surprisingly bubbly. "Happy Birthday, my sweet girl!"Bella blinked in surprise. Her mother's cheerfulness was unexpected, given their usual distant interactions. "Thank you, Mom."Isabella continued, "I hope you've had a wonderful day so far. I just wanted to tell you not to be late for home tonight. We have a special birthday party planned for you"Bella's heart skipped a beat. "A party? I... I didn't know.""Oh, it's a surprise!" her mother exclaimed. "We've invited some of our closest friends and acquaintances, and it's going to be a grand affair. You won't want
The atmosphere at Bella's 18th birthday party was one of opulence and sophistication. As the evening wore on, the guests mingled, champagne flutes in hand, creating a lively buzz that filled the grand ballroom. Bella, resplendent in her burgundy gown, moved gracefully through the crowd, her heart still racing from her earlier encounter with Reid Carter.After he wished her happy birthday, her father came to them and shook hands with Reid.After that, her father, Richard, a prominent figure in the world of finance, took the opportunity to engage in a spirited conversation with Reid. The two men spoke in hushed tones, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. It was clear to Bella that her father held Reid in high regard, and the conversation was filled with laughter and camaraderie.Meanwhile, her mother, Isabella, was busy playing the gracious host, introducing Bella to some of the new acquaintances she had made over the years. Bella exchanged polite greetings a
The weeks passed in a whirlwind of activity for Bella. With graduation on the horizon, the pressure to decide on which university to apply to and what path to follow after high school weighed heavily on her mind.In the quiet moments, when she retreated to her room, Bella would often find herself gazing at her laptop screen, lost in thought. Her secret writing career continued to flourish, bringing her both joy and a sense of fulfilment, plus the small financial incentive that was accumulating in her newly opened secret bank account, but it was time to confront the looming question of her future.One evening, as she sat at her desk, surrounded by stacks of university brochures and admission forms, Bella's thoughts drifted back to her family's expectations. The pressure to pursue a career in finance or business still hung in the air like an unspoken command.However, Bella had realized in the wake of her 18th birthday. She could not deny the yearning in her heart, the deep desire to pu
In the weeks that followed her conversation with her parents, Bella reluctantly set aside her dreams of pursuing creative writing and followed her father's directive. She diligently applied to the universities he had approved, her academic records and achievements securing her acceptance into each one.Her family's reaction to her acceptance was one of unabashed pride and jubilation. They celebrated her achievements with a lavish gathering, and Bella found herself surrounded by well-wishers and admirers who marvelled at her academic accomplishments.For the Livingston family, it was a moment of triumph, a confirmation of their lineage's excellence. Bella's acceptance into prestigious universities was a testament to their family legacy, and her parents basked in the glory of their daughter's success.Yet, despite the external celebrations and accolades, Bella couldn't find the happiness she had hoped for. Each acceptance letter, each congratulatory gesture, only served as a reminder of