Skylar stood at the doorway, watching her brother Emilio round up the kids for a day at the park. Valentina, bounced with excitement, while Lorenzo and Jared, chased each other in circles, their laughter echoing through the house. “Are you sure you don’t want to come, Sky?” Emilio called over his shoulder, a playful grin on his face. Skylar shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. “No, I’ll pass. I’ve got some last-minute shopping to do for Valentina’s birthday party.” Emilio chuckled, tousling Lorenzo’s hair as he herded them out the door. “Alright, suit yourself. We’ll bring back some ice cream for you!” As the front door closed behind them, Skylar let out a sigh, the weight of her decision pressing down on her. She knew she couldn’t keep the truth from her boys forever, but for now, she wanted to shield them from the pain of their father’s absence. She had decided to just never tell the boys about why Jason would be absent from their lives. At least until they were old enoug
In the sleek conference room overlooking the city skyline, Jason sat among the board members of his company, discussing potential partnerships. As ideas flowed, one director, Mr. Thompson, cleared his throat. “Have you heard about the recent move of the third most influential businessman in Italy?” Mr. Thompson’s tone held a hint of excitement. Jason raised an eyebrow. “No, I haven’t. Who is it?” “Pietro Bianchi,” Mr. Thompson replied. “He’s relocating here and looking to invest. If we can get him on board, he’ll be a significant shareholder in our company.” Jason’s mind raced with possibilities. “That could be a game-changer for us. Any idea why he’s moving?” “He’s seeking new ventures and sees great potential in our market,” another director chimed in. “We need to act fast,” Jason said, leaning forward. “Let’s put together a proposal highlighting the benefits of partnering with us.” The room buzzed with energy as they brainstormed strategies to court Bianchi. Jason scribbled n
Sofia knocked on Skylar’s door with a wide smile, clutching her phone in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. Skylar opened the door, looking surprised to see the teenager standing there alone. “Hey, Sofia! What brings you here?” Skylar asked, stepping aside to let her in. “I thought we could go shopping for the event next weekend. I know it’s still a bit early, but I wanted to make sure you have everything you need,” Sofia replied, handing Skylar the coffee cup as she stepped inside. Skylar furrowed her brows, “Did you come all the way here by yourself? The streets are dangerous young lady! Where’s your Dad? Does he know you’re here?” Sofia chuckled, “Oh, he knows I’m here. He’s caught up with some work, so I thought I’d come over on my own. Plus, it’s a good excuse to hang out with you!” Skylar smiled, feeling touched by Sofia’s gesture, “That’s sweet of you. Thanks for coming , bit next time you wanna hang out, let me know and I’ll pick you up, okay? Let me just change and g
As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, the grand doors of the auction hall swung open, and Jason, the affable host, greeted each arriving guest with a warm smile and a firm handshake. “Welcome, Mr. And Mrs. Greene! So glad you could join us tonight,” Jason said, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm as he ushered the couple inside. “Thank you, Jason. We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” replied Mr. Greene, returning Jason’s smile. Next in line were the Millers, a well-known power couple in the business world. Jason’s eyes lit up as he extended his hand. “Ah, Mr. And Mrs. Miller, what a pleasure to have you here tonight. Your presence truly elevates the event.” Mrs. Miller chuckled softly. “You’re too kind, Jason. We’re excited to see what treasures await us at the auction.” As the evening progressed, Jason’s welcoming demeanour remained unwavering, his energy infectious as he mingled with the esteemed guests. He made sure to engage each person with genuine interest, whethe
As the auction hall buzzed with excitement, Jason led Pietro, Skylar, and Emilio to their reserved seats. The atmosphere was electric, with the promise of rare treasures up for bidding. “Here we are, gentlemen. Your seats for the evening,” Jason announced, trying to maintain his professional demeanour despite the knot of tension in his stomach. “Thanks, Mr. Reynolds,” Pietro nodded, his eyes already scanning the room, but they lingered a moment longer on Skylar, who flashed him a radiant smile. Skylar’s presence brought a wave of conflicting emotions for Jason. She was his ex-wife, and despite their history, he couldn’t deny the lingering feelings he had for her. So to see her in the arms of another man was making him feel jealous in ways he couldn’t understand. As the auction commenced, Jason attempted to engage Pietro in conversation, hoping to distract himself from the discomfort of Skylar’s proximity. “So, Pietro, what do you think of tonight’s selection?” Jason asked, tr
As the sleek black car sped away from Jason’s auction dinner, the tense silence inside was palpable. Skylar, and Emilio sat in the backseat, their minds preoccupied with the events of the evening. Jason’s behaviour towards Skylar was uncalled for, and they were seething with anger. “I can’t believe Jason treated you like that, Skylar,” Pietro fumed, breaking the silence as they drove through the darkened city streets. “He was completely out of line.” Emilio nodded in agreement, his jaw clenched tightly. “It’s unacceptable. You didn’t deserve any of that, Skylar.” Skylar remained quiet, her eyes fixed on the passing lights outside the car window. She tried to push down the hurt and humiliation she felt from Jason’s actions, but the words stung deep. Emilio reached out a comforting hand and placed it on Skylar’s shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to pretend like everything’s fine. We’re here for you.” Tears welled up in Skylar’s eyes, and she could no longer hold back th
Jason’s car pulled into the driveway with a screech, echoing his frustration from the disastrous auction dinner. He slammed the door shut, each step to his front door a silent scream of regret and anger. His thoughts raced with the image of Skylar, standing beside Pietro Bianchi, a stark reminder of his past failures and betrayals. Entering his house, the air felt thick with tension, suffocating him as he moved through the dimly lit rooms. And there, in the living room, sat Emily. He clenched his jaw, her mere presence being a stark reminder of his errors. “Hey, Jason,” Emily greeted him, her voice tentative, as she looked up from her laptop. Jason’s jaw tightened more at the sound of her voice, his anger bubbling to the surface. “What are you doing here?” he snapped, his tone harsh and unforgiving. Emily recoiled slightly at his sharpness, her brow furrowing in confusion. “I... I was just finishing up some work. Liam is in his room, he was doing much better today. Is everythin
In the weeks that followed the dinner event, Pietro’s presence in Skylar’s life became increasingly significant. Each visit to her home, brought a sense of comfort and companionship. One afternoon, as Pietro arrived at Skylar’s doorstep with Sofia in tow, he was greeted by the joyful chaos of family life. Children’s laughter filled the air as Lorenzo and Jared played with Valentina, their shouts echoing through the house. Sofia quickly exchanged pleasantries and made her way over to the children who immediately abandoned their games in favour of bombarding her with stories and questions. “Hey there, Pietro,” Skylar greeted him with a warm smile, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him. “Come on in. We’re just about to have lunch.” As they settled around the table, Pietro couldn’t help but notice the sadness in Skylar’s eyes whenever Lorenzo brought up the topic of his absent father. It has started earlier that week. Lorenzo would just randomly ask for his father or his whereab