ALL MY HEART WANTS IS YOU

CHAPTER 2 - HOMECOMING

SARAH

It had been eight years since my embarrassing entanglement with Bryan. I had long disappeared from the city of Los Angeles and relocated to Milan, to continue my career as a model. Things went pretty well for me and nine months into my stay in Milan, I gave birth to the most adorable triplets in the world - Oscar, Oliver and Owen. I kept it a secret from Bryan of course and luckily for me, the boys didn't pressure me too much for information about their dad. However, things were about to take an unexpected turn.

It was a cold morning in Milan and it was the sound of my alarm clock piercing through the stillness of my bedroom that woke me up. I reached out blindly, smacking the offending device until it finally fell silent. The sunlight streaming through the gaps in my curtains painted the room in a soft golden hue, promising another beautiful day in Milan.

I stretched and sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. The apartment was quiet except for the faint hum of traffic from the street below. My triplets were still asleep in their rooms, and for a brief moment, I enjoyed the serenity.

Then, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

Groaning, I picked it up and squinted at the screen. It was my boss, Denzel Kane.

“Good morning, Denzel,” I said, my voice still groggy as I answered the call.

“Good morning, my star!” Denzel’s smooth, enthusiastic voice practically sang through the line. “You are not going to believe this, Sarah.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress a small smile. Denzel had always had a flair for drama. “What is it this time?”

“You’ve secured the biggest deal of your career!” he announced, his words tumbling over each other in excitement.

I sat up straight, the grogginess clearing away at once. “What? Are you serious?”

“Dead serious. GLAM has partnered with one of the world’s top modeling agencies for a collaboration, and you, my darling, are the face of the gig!”

My heart leaped in my chest. This was it. The pinnacle of everything I had worked so hard for over the last eight years. Modeling had been my escape, my sanctuary, after everything fell apart in Los Angeles. It had given me purpose and a fresh start, and now, it was paying off in ways I had only dreamed of.

“That’s amazing,” I said, barely able to contain my excitement. “Thank you, Denzel.”

“Oh, don’t thank me yet. I’ve got more news,” he said, his tone turning coy.

“More?”

“We’re celebrating your success with a vacation trip. And not just anywhere, darling—Los Angeles!”

My heart dropped into my stomach. The name of the city sent a chill through me, bringing back a flood of memories I had spent years trying to forget.

“Los Angeles?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes, Los Angeles,” Denzel said, oblivious to my hesitation. “You’ll love it. The beaches, the nightlife, the glamour—it’s perfect for someone like you.”

I swallowed hard, gripping the phone tightly. “Denzel, I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I haven’t been back there in years…”

“Exactly! It’s time to change that,” he interrupted, his voice firm but playful. “You can’t run from your past forever, Sarah. And besides, this trip is non-negotiable. The agency insists on it.”

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. Denzel was right—I couldn’t run forever. But the thought of going back to the city where my life had fallen apart was terrifying.

“Mom, who’s on the phone?”

I turned to see Owen, the youngest of my triplets, standing in the doorway in his dinosaur pajamas, rubbing his eyes sleepily. His brothers, Oscar and Oliver soon followed, their identical faces lighting up with curiosity.

“It’s Denzel,” I said, forcing a smile as I set the phone on speaker.

“Boys!” Denzel’s voice boomed through the room, making them giggle. “Guess what? Your mom is going on a vacation to Los Angeles!”

Their eyes widened in excitement.

“Can we go too?” Oscar asked, his face lighting up.

“Yeah, I want to see America!” Oliver added, bouncing on his toes.

Owen chimed in with an enthusiastic, “Please, Mom?”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Their excitement was infectious, but it didn’t erase the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.

“See? Even your boys think it’s a great idea,” Denzel said, his voice teasing. “You can’t disappoint them.”

I looked at my sons, their eager faces staring back at me, and I knew I couldn’t say no.

“All right,” I said finally, earning a chorus of cheers from the boys. “We’ll go.”

“Fabulous! I’ll make all the arrangements,” Denzel said triumphantly. “Pack your bags, darling. You leave in three days.”

The call ended, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the weight of the decision I had just made.

The next few days passed in a flurry of preparations. I spent my time packing for the trip, coordinating with Denzel, and answering endless questions from the boys about what Los Angeles would be like.

On the morning of our flight, I stood in the living room, staring at my suitcase. My nerves were frayed, but I forced myself to push past the anxiety. This was a new chapter—a chance to prove to myself that I had moved on from the pain of the past.

“Ready, boys?” I called out.

“Ready!” they yelled in unison, running into the room with their backpacks.

We arrived in Los Angeles a day before New Year’s Eve. The moment I stepped off the plane, the city’s familiar scent—salt from the ocean mixed with the faint tang of exhaust—hit me like a tidal wave. Memories I had buried deep began to resurface, but I shoved them aside, focusing instead on the excited chatter of my sons.

The hotel Denzel had booked for us was luxurious, a testament to how far I had come in my career. The boys marveled at the spacious suite, their eyes wide with wonder as they explored every corner.

“Mom, look at the view!” Luca exclaimed, pointing out the window.

I joined him, gazing out at the sprawling cityscape. Skyscrapers glittered in the afternoon sun, their glass facades reflecting the vibrant energy of the city. Somewhere out there, my past lingered like a ghost, but I refused to let it haunt me.

As night fell, I tucked the boys into bed, their excitement finally giving way to exhaustion. I sat by the window, sipping a glass of wine as I watched the city come alive with twinkling lights and the distant sound of laughter.

For the first time in years, I allowed myself to think about Kyle. I wondered where he was, what he was doing, and if he ever thought about me. The pain of his betrayal had dulled over time, but the scars it left behind still ached on nights like this.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I opened it to find Denzel standing there, his ever-present smile lighting up his face.

“Thought I’d check on my star,” he said, stepping inside.

“I’m fine,” I said, setting my wine glass down. “Just…processing.”

He gave me a knowing look. “It’s not easy, coming back to the place that broke you. But you’re stronger now, Sarah. And you’re not alone anymore.”

I smiled, grateful for his support. Denzel had been more than a boss to me—he had been a mentor, a friend, and sometimes even a father figure.

“You’re right,” I said. “I’ve got my boys. And I’ve got you.”

“Exactly,” he said, patting my shoulder. “Now, get some rest. Tomorrow’s a big day.”

As he left, I climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. The city outside buzzed with life, but within the quiet confines of the hotel room, I found a sense of peace.

Tomorrow, I would face Los Angeles again. Not as the heartbroken girl who had fled

eight years ago, but as the strong woman I had become.