10
1006 Words
The morning air was crisp and filled with the soft hum of city life as Isabelle fastened Elliott’s backpack straps and double-checked Amelia’s neatly tied shoelaces. Her heart swelled with a mixture of pride and bittersweet emotion.
“Mommy, do we really have to go to school?” Amelia asked, her nose scrunched up in playful protest.
“Yes, sweetheart,” Isabelle said with a laugh, brushing a stray curl from Amelia’s cheek. “You’re going to love it. There’ll be so many new friends to meet and fun things to learn.”
Elliott tugged on her sleeve, his brows furrowed in concern. “What if the other kids don’t like us?”
“They will,” Isabelle assured him gently, crouching to their level. “You’re both smart, kind, and amazing. And I’ll be right here to pick you up when school’s over, okay?”
They nodded hesitantly, and Isabelle stood, taking each of their hands. The private school she had chosen for them wasn’t too far from their brownstone. It was a modest yet well-reputed institution, with small classes and a nurturing environment—exactly what she wanted for her children.
As they reached the school gate, a friendly-looking teacher greeted them with a warm smile. “You must be Elliott and Amelia!”
The twins glanced at Isabelle, who nodded encouragingly.
“Go on,” she whispered. “You’ll be great.”
With tentative steps, they followed the teacher inside, glancing back at Isabelle one last time. She waved, her heart squeezing as the gate closed behind them.
“They’ll be fine,” she whispered to herself, forcing a smile. “They’ll be just fine.”
Later That Morning
The office space was a blank canvas, its wide windows flooding the room with natural light. Isabelle stood in the center, hands on her hips, imagining the possibilities.
“This is perfect,” she murmured, her voice echoing slightly in the empty room.
After closing the deal with Marcus, she had decided it was time to take her business to the next level. No more crafting toys at her kitchen table. This space would be the heart of her growing brand—a place where creativity and innovation could thrive.
The door creaked open, and Marcus stepped inside, his polished shoes clicking against the hardwood floor. He carried two cups of coffee and offered one to Isabelle.
“Thought you might need this,” he said with a grin.
“Thanks,” she said, accepting the cup. “I was just imagining how to set up the space.”
He looked around, nodding thoughtfully. “You’ve got a great canvas to work with. What’s the vision?”
“Bright, welcoming, and inspiring,” she said. “I want it to be a place where ideas flow freely.”
“I like it,” Marcus said. “Need any help with the setup?”
Isabelle arched a brow. “You offering to move furniture?”
He chuckled. “I might be better at strategizing than heavy lifting, but I can try.”
They shared a laugh, and Isabelle felt a sense of ease she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Marcus had a way of making things seem possible—manageable, even.
“So,” he said, taking a sip of his coffee, “what’s next for the business?”
“Expanding the product line, hiring a small team, and launching a stronger online presence,” Isabelle said confidently. “There’s a lot to do, but I’m excited.”
Marcus’s gaze softened. “You’ve come a long way, Isabelle. You should be proud.”
“I am,” she admitted, her voice steady. “But there’s still a lot of work ahead.”
“Well,” he said, lifting his cup in a mock toast, “here’s to building something amazing.”
“To building something amazing,” Isabelle echoed, clinking her cup against his.
Later That Afternoon
The schoolyard buzzed with activity as parents gathered to pick up their children. Isabelle stood near the gate, scanning the crowd for Elliott and Amelia.
“Mama!”
She turned just in time to catch Amelia barreling toward her, her curls bouncing wildly. Elliott followed closely behind, a wide grin on his face.
“How was it?” Isabelle asked, hugging them both tightly.
“It was awesome!” Amelia declared. “We painted pictures and read stories, and Miss Harper said I was really good at math!”
Elliott nodded enthusiastically. “And I made a friend. His name’s Leo, and he likes dinosaurs too!”
Isabelle’s heart swelled with relief and joy. “I’m so proud of you both.”
As they walked home, the twins chattered excitedly about their day, their initial nerves long forgotten. Isabelle listened with a smile, grateful for this new chapter in their lives.
That Evening
After dinner and bedtime stories, Isabelle tucked the twins into bed. As she kissed their foreheads, a sense of peace settled over her.
Life was far from perfect, but it was moving forward. Her children were thriving, her business was growing, and for the first time in years, she felt hopeful about the future.
As she closed their bedroom door, her phone buzzed on the kitchen counter. She picked it up, her brows furrowing at the name on the screen.
Sebastian.
Her thumb hovered over the screen, hesitation gripping her. What did he want now?
Taking a steadying breath, she opened the message.
We need to talk. Please.
Isabelle’s jaw tightened. She had a good life now, one that didn’t include Sebastian Hale. She knew he was going to find out about their children sooner or later, that's if he didn't already know and was pretending to be oblivious. The kids were growing and they were soon going to start seeking a father figure and she knew she had to give him a choice to be in their lives or not.
She concluded that whatever he wanted after that revelation, she would be ready.
- Writer
