Chapter 23

Rudolf's POV
Mikayla nodded, trying to absorb every word. “I’m glad we could celebrate Emma and Daniel’s birthdays. It means a lot to me and the kids,” she said, and there was warmth in her voice.
“So do I. Seeing you smile like that makes me feel so valuable. I want to contribute more to your lives,” I replied, telling her from the heart, hoping to increase her trust in me.
Mikayla stared out at the ocean for a moment before continuing, “I’m just worried about the future. Having two kids is no easy task. What if I can’t give them my best, or if I make the wrong decisions?”
Hearing the doubt in her voice, I felt the need to give her a nudge. “Mikayla, nothing in life is perfect. We all learn as we go. The most important thing is that you love them, and that’s a great start,” I said confidently.
She smiled softly, but still looked hesitant. “But sometimes, I feel trapped. Like I have to do it all by myself,” she said, and there was a hint of desperation in her voice.
My eyes met hers, and I wanted her to know that she wasn’t alone. “You’re never alone, Mikayla. I want to support you and the kids, whenever you need it. We can be in this together. We can face all the decisions and challenges as a family,” I offered, taking her hand in mine.
She sighed, and I could see that perhaps, my words were slowly starting to sink into her heart. “I know, but sometimes I find it hard to trust everything,” he said, a hint of doubt still lingering in his words.
“That’s natural. Trust me, I feel the same burden. We all have fears, but it’s important to support each other and trust each other. We’ll get through this together,” I said, trying to be understanding and warm.
In the silence of the night, we shared stories, hopes, and dreams about the future. Under the starry sky, we opened our hearts to each other, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like we were on the verge of something beautiful.
Mikayla's POV
I felt disappointed when I saw Rudolf hugging another woman. At that time, I really wanted to tell him that I was pregnant, but seeing him and that woman together made me feel like I was betrayed. The pain was so deep, as if my heart was broken instantly.
I stood on the corner of the street, staring at them with mixed feelings. When I saw Rudolf's smile and his loving gaze for that woman, my heart trembled—I felt like I was thrown from reality. My only hope of building a relationship with him collapsed instantly.
After that, I decided to go far away from that city full of memories and move to the beach. In that place, I hoped to find peace, reflecting without the shadow of the past that kept chasing me. My new life would be very different, but most importantly, I had to be strong.
And it turned out that, far from the life I used to live, I found beauty and freedom that I had never found before. Seeing the waves crashing on the beach gave me the peace I was looking for, while also releasing the pain that was in my heart.
My days start with preparing breakfast for Emma and Daniel. Having children is both a blessing and a challenge. While their presence gives me reasons to smile, there are times when loneliness creeps in. Going through everything alone is not easy.
However, being a mother has taught me to stay strong. I try to show that I am strong, not only for myself, but also for Emma and Daniel. They are my source of inspiration, my hope for a better life.
I devote myself to their needs, making sure that every day is filled with beautiful memories. But sometimes, when I go to bed and the night creeps in, I can’t help but think about Rudolf. Those moments come back to me, reminding me of everything we’ve been through.
My heart still hurts, but I try not to let it haunt me for too long. Every time the pain comes, I remember the message I always hold on to: I have to be strong for my children. And as time went on, I wanted to believe that maybe, this was the right path for me—the path I had to take to find myself and create a better future for our family.
With all that, I committed to facing the days ahead—no matter what. I would fight, not just for me, but also for Emma and Daniel. We would overcome everything together, and I hoped that I could make our lives as beautiful as the ocean that stretched out in front of this small house.
Suddenly, when I was about to buy porridge at the store, I saw a very familiar figure. Rudolf. He was standing there in neat clothes, very different from the appearance I once knew. He didn’t seem like a call boy anymore.
My heart fluttered as I looked at him. He looked confident and classy in his elegant clothes, as if his life had changed completely. However, I also felt uncertainty inside me, a mixture of emotion and fear of facing the past.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Rudolf said, a big smile on his face. “You look different, Mikayla. You’re so… skinny.”
“Thank you. I just work hard,” I replied, my voice low. But inside, my feelings were all over the place. He was a CEO in the fashion industry. How great he was, but my hurt feelings weren’t completely healed.
“Do you live here?” he asked, as if he wanted to start a deeper conversation. I felt a little awkward, but I knew I couldn’t avoid it.
“Yes, I live not far from here. I live with the kids,” I replied, feeling a little hesitant.
In his eyes, I could see genuine interest, but my mind was also filled with doubt. Am I really ready to face Rudolf again?