Ethan
Samantha and Victoria were unlike any women I'd ever met. I've encountered beautiful women before—Sarah, my ex-wife, was stunning in that conventional trophy wife sort of way. But Samantha and Victoria were a different breed. Sure, they were beautiful—breathtaking, even—but it was more than that. They were more than that.
Sarah had always been concerned with appearances, always chasing after the next big thing, the next upgrade, the next validation. She was the kind of woman who thrived on being admired, on being the center of attention. But Samantha and Victoria… they didn't seem to need the attention or validation. They had an air of self-assuredness that came from within, a kind of quiet strength that didn't demand attention but naturally drew it.
Samantha, with her easy smile and warm demeanor, had a way of making everyone around her feel comfortable. She didn't flaunt her beauty or her status; instead, she seemed more interested in getting to know people, in making genuine connections. There was a kindness in her that was hard to miss, a sincerity that made it easy to forget that she was a world-famous model. She was the kind of woman who could light up a room just by walking into it—not because of how she looked, but because of the energy she brought with her.
And then there was Victoria. Lady Harrington. She was every bit the aristocrat with her refined manners and polished elegance, but there was a warmth to her as well, a depth that I hadn't expected. She was quick to smile, quick to laugh, and there was a hint of mischief in her eyes that made her all the more intriguing. Despite her title and her obvious wealth, she didn't come across as distant or unapproachable. In fact, she was incredibly down-to-earth, and the way she interacted with the girls—so natural, so caring—only added to her allure.
I was hard not compare them to Sarah. I hated to do it but it was not even a comparison. Sarah had been beautiful, yes, but her beauty had always felt like a shield, a way to keep the world at arm's length. She had been more concerned with how others saw her than how she actually felt. It had been exhausting, trying to keep up with her expectations, trying to be the man she wanted me to be, even when it meant losing myself in the process.
But with Samantha and Victoria, it was different. They didn't expect anything from me, didn't demand that I be someone I wasn't. It was quite refreshing.
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts as we walked through Silver Ridge. It was turning out to be a truly beautiful day. The town was bustling with activity. Samantha and Victoria walked ahead with the girls, their laughter and conversation filling the air around us. They took pictures and did silly dances. At one point, Maya literally stood up and started singing. I trailed behind, lost in my thoughts, trying to make sense of the feelings that had been swirling inside me.
I watched as Samantha and the girls took their pictures and then looked at them. They repeated the actions several times—pointing, giggling, and making suggestions. The girls posed, and then Samantha started clicking on her phone furiously. She suddenly stopped.
Samantha said something to the girls and they shook their heads. Then they all looked at me.
Samantha said something else to the girls, got up, and walked to me. Victoria just looked amused.
"Ethan," Samantha said, "I know that you aren't big on social media, but I was wondering if it was okay to post their pictures on Instagram with me. If you don't want them there, it's totally okay."
I frowned. I don't love Instagram, Facebook, or any of those other platforms. But that wasn't what caught my attention. Samantha had asked me and looked genuinely concerned about my reaction.
This woman cares about what I think—at least in regards to this.
"I was just about to post something with the girls, and I realized that it would be totally inappropriate to do so without your permission."
I smiled. "It's fine, Samantha. I'm sure the picture is gorgeous."
Samantha turned to the girls. "He said yes."
Both my girls blew me kisses. "We love you, Daddy!"
Samantha and the girls went back to pictures.
Victoria came to my side. "Have you ever actually said no to them?"
I shook my head. "Yes and no. It's pretty rare that I say no to them but it's also pretty rare that they put me in a disagreeable position. They are so worried about how their mother hurt me that it sometimes feels like they are parenting me."
I froze. I mentioned my ex-wife. Damn it.