Possible Stalker

Mallory couldn't help but feel grateful for her best friend's first-time visit to Harris's mansion where they reside. It had been a challenging few weeks, and she longed for a heart-to-heart conversation with someone who understood her. "I'm sorry it took me so long to come over, Mal," Heidi began, her face filled with genuine regret. "Scott and I have been caught up with preparing for the baby, and time just flew by." Mallory smiled warmly, reassured by Heidi's presence. "It's okay, Heidi. I know how busy you must be, especially with the baby on the way. I'm just glad you're here now." Heidi's eyes sparkled with excitement as she shared the news. "Speaking of the baby, it's a boy, Mal! Scott and I are so thrilled." Mallory's face lit up with genuine happiness for her friend. "That's incredible, Heidi! A little boy? I can imagine how over the moon you both must be." Heidi nodded, her hand resting on her growing belly. "It's been quite the journey so far, and we can't wait to meet our little one. We decided to skip the gender reveal and just have a baby shower. We'll keep it simple." Mallory chuckled, delighted by Heidi's practical approach. "I think that's a great idea. It's all about celebrating the new addition to your family, after all." "So, how are you feeling so far?" Heidi beamed with happiness. "I'm doing great, Mal. The second trimester has been much smoother than the first. Scott's been incredibly supportive, and we're both excited to become parents." Mallory smiled warmly at her friend. "I'm thrilled for you, Heidi. You and Scott are going to be amazing parents. And Harriet can't wait to have a little friend to play with." Heidi chuckled. "I can already see those playdates in the future. Our kids are going to have a blast together." "I can't wait." Heidi leaned in closer to Mallory, her expression turning more serious. "But enough about us. How are you holding up, Mal? I've heard about the recent developments with the Hudson Group cutting ties with the Thompson Group. That must be incredibly stressful for Harris." Mallory's shoulders slumped slightly as she sighed. "Yes, it's been a rollercoaster of stress and uncertainty. Harris has been working tirelessly to salvage the Thompson Group from bankruptcy, and it's taking a toll on him. Heidi, after all Harris has done for me and Harriet, I'll stand by him through thick and thin." Heidi nodded in understanding. "I know you will, Mally. You've been such a strong and supportive partner to Harris in this trying time." "Heidi, he is the father of my daughter, and I don't want any harm to come to him, Harriet would be devastated too." "And it will break your heart because you still love him," Heidi continued. Mallory smiled, her cheeks blushing. "Well, yeah! I still love him so much. I dream of having a future with him and Harriet and a happy family. After this is all over, I can decide if I'd fully commit to being with him." As the conversation shifted, Mallory and Heidi began discussing a lighter topic: Harriet's upcoming 5th birthday. Mallory's face brightened with excitement as she shared her plans. "Harris has given me the freedom of what it would look like. But he wants it to be a grand celebration since this is his first time celebrating Harriet's birthday," Mallory explained. "I want it to be special and memorable for Harriet too." Heidi leaned in, eager to hear more. "That sounds wonderful, Mally. What ideas do you have in mind?" "I was thinking of a 'magical garden' theme," Mallory suggested with enthusiasm. "We could decorate the garden with fairy lights, lanterns, and colorful flowers. It'll create a whimsical atmosphere that the kids will love." Heidi's eyes lit up at the idea. "Oh, that sounds absolutely enchanting, Mally! I can already picture it. And for the little ones, we could even hire a magician or a face painter. It would be so much fun!" Mallory nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Heidi! I want Harriet and her friends to have the time of their lives. We've been through so much lately, and this is a chance to let her be a carefree child again." Heidi leaned back, her smile reflecting the joy of the occasion. "I love that you're focusing on creating these beautiful moments for Harriet. She's lucky to have you as her mom, Mally." Mallory's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you, Heidi. Being a mother to Harriet has been the most rewarding part of my life. No matter what challenges we face, she's my priority." "I thought about inviting the parents of Harriet's classmates from her old school. It's a way to show that I have a good relationship with them, and they can testify that I'm a good mother. It's important to me, especially with all the rumors and false accusations circulating about me." Mallory's eyes sparked hope as she described her plans. Heidi nodded in agreement. "That's a fantastic idea, Mal. It's a positive step to counter the negative perceptions people may have. Plus, it'll be a chance for Harriet to celebrate with her friends and feel loved." Mallory smiled appreciatively. "Exactly, Heidi. Harriet deserves to have a joyful birthday surrounded by friends and people who care about her. It'll be a special day, and I want to make sure of it." Heidi helped Mallory contact the parents of Harriet's classmates to invite them to Harriet's 5th birthday. However, some of them refused to attend the event, and obviously, they just made up excuses. This was a clear message that there were parents who refused to see the good Mallory and kept believing the rumors about her. Heidi reached out and gently squeezed Mallory's hand. "It's okay Mally, so they'll see who you truly are. You, Harris, and Harriet are a family, and I have no doubt that you'll overcome these challenges together." Mallory's eyes welled up with gratitude for her friend's unwavering support. "Thank you, Heidi. Your friendship means the world to me. No matter what comes our way, we'll face it with resilience and love." "Enough with all the drama. Before I forget. Let's talk about this anonymous guy who keeps sending you flowers every week." Mallory's face turned solemn. Heidi listened attentively as Mallory shared more about the possible mysterious sender of the weekly flowers. "I just wonder why he is very persistent in sending flowers. And not a single meaningful message. Some weeks, he will include a "have a nice day" message and nothing more. Not a single clue of who he is." "That's creepy. He sounds like a stalker," Heidi said, a little shocked. It wasn't a story she was expecting to hear.