Novel-novel oleh Winifred K

Alexander didn't even have time to think before Hermosa's voice rang out again."Alex, are you busy? If so, I'll head out. I don't want to interrupt."As Hermosa turned to leave, Alexander quickly called after her."Where are you going?""I… I…" Hermosa stammered. She hadn't had anywhere else to go—that's why she'd come to him. But seeing the two of them together now, she felt it wasn't her place to stay.Alexander didn't need her to answer. He could already guess. She was all alone now—where else could she go? Stepping aside, his tone turned cold and distant as he looked at Phoebe."Do you have anything else to say?"That frigid tone made Phoebe's heart clench. She looked up at him but said nothing.Alexander's eyes were deep and unreadable. Since she wouldn't speak, he didn't want to hear anything more about her children."Then go home."Phoebe felt a sharp pain in her chest at those cold words. So she really wasn't welcome here? Was he telling her to leave?"Alex, it's okay. I didn

Alexander had spent the past two days at the villa with the children. He had never thought of himself as a particularly patient man, yet to his own surprise, he found himself unusually calm and gentle with them.He had been worried he might be too clumsy to take proper care of the kids, but everything had gone smoothly.The children were growing more and more attached to him, relying on him in a way that filled his heart with warmth. The feeling of being trusted and needed stirred something deep inside him.For a moment, he could almost believe he really was their father. That strange, comforting thought took him by surprise.That evening, just as Alexander was getting ready to take the children out for dinner, the doorbell rang. The children noticed it before he did."Daddy, someone's outside," Jeremy said. In the past two days, he had grown used to calling Alexander "Daddy"—so much so that he couldn't go back to calling him "Uncle.""Daddy, I heard it too!" Amy chimed in.Alexander

The gates of the villa slowly opened as the two children stepped inside, their eyes widening at the spacious living room. A crystal chandelier cast a warm glow from the ceiling, while the marble floor reflected their tiny silhouettes."Uncle, your house is huge!" Amy looked up, her eyes sparkling.Alexander bent down and lifted both children onto the sofa. Amy suddenly frowned. "Uncle, living in such a big house alone must be really lonely."His movements paused. That wave of loneliness from the five lost years of memory suddenly surged in."We'll come visit you often from now on!" Jeremy said earnestly, unconsciously reaching up to touch his still-swollen cheek.Alexander noticed and quickly went upstairs to get the first aid kit. He gently placed Jeremy on his lap and carefully applied the ointment."Does it hurt?"Jeremy shook his head, staring intently at the gentle man in front of him. Amy sat quietly by the side, then suddenly said, "Uncle, today is our fifth birthday.""Your bi

In the restroom, Phoebe stared blankly at her phone. His call still hadn't come. Her heart sank with disappointment.She tried to calm herself, but her mind kept spinning with anxious thoughts. So lost in her worries, she forgot about the two kids waiting outside.It wasn't until a woman bumped into her that Phoebe snapped back to reality.Oh no, the kids!She rushed out of the restroom—only to find their seats empty.Her heart dropped. Cold sweat soaked her back. She frantically stopped a passerby."Excuse me, did you see two kids? A boy and a girl, about this tall—"No. No. No.Just as she was on the verge of panic, her phone suddenly rang.With trembling hands, Phoebe pulled it out and answered without even checking the caller ID."Hi, Mom."The moment she heard Jeremy's voice, Phoebe burst into tears. Her voice choked with emotion. "Where are you?""Mom, Amy and I are fine. Don't worry," Jeremy said gently."Tell me where you are." Phoebe sniffled, trying to keep her voice steady.

At 3 a.m., the villa was wrapped in absolute silence. Alexander stumbled through the front door, the sharp scent of whiskey clinging to his suit.Upstairs, the bedroom door was ajar—like an open wound that refused to heal. He pushed it open. Moonlight slanted through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating a bed so untouched it didn't even bear a wrinkle.A dry laugh escaped him.Sliding down the wall, he sat on the floor, the back of his head resting against the cold wallpaper. The alcohol burned in his veins, but it couldn't dull the dull ache spreading through his chest. His fingers absentmindedly traced the old scar on his left abdomen—he should've locked her up five years ago, even if the chains had to be forged from hatred.By the time the pale morning light seeped through the curtains at 5 a.m., Phoebe was already awake. Her hand reached instinctively toward the phone on the pillow beside her—the screen was as clean and silent as glass rinsed by rain."He still hasn't seen i

Phoebe stared at the dim screen of her phone, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the cold surface. The unfamiliar female voice on the other end still echoed in her ears, like a thorn lodged in her heart. All these years—even after losing his memory—Alexander had never had another woman by his side. Was it just like at that banquet again, where he'd hired someone to act just to provoke her?The thought made her lips curve involuntarily. Such childish tricks only exposed one thing: he still cared.Her fingers flew across the screen, tapping furiously. Thirty minutes later, she finally finished a long text message that laid bare the entire truth. She read through it again and again, checking every word and sentence, determined that this time, there would be no more misunderstandings. Just as she hit "send," she heard a soft creak at the door.Phoebe looked up to see a small head poking through the gap—Jeremy's. His large dark eyes sparkled in the darkness."Sweetheart?" She immediately

Early the next morning, Cynthia woke to find Lucien already gone. He must have gone to the hospital to visit his grandfather.Although yesterday's confrontation had been satisfying, it had only intensified the conflict between Lucien and the Brown family. She didn't believe for a second that Lucien would give up his position as CEO of BW Group just to get back together with her, nor did she want to see Edric and Mandy gain anything from it.Did they really think that a few harsh words could just wipe the slate clean? What about all the humiliation, the pain, and the soul-crushing despair he had once inflicted on her? Was she supposed to just forget all of that?No. She would make him pay—twice over—for everything she had suffered. He would taste it all, and more.She went straight to the hospital. Just outside Thomas's room, she ran into Mandy, who was holding a bouquet of flowers."What are you doing here?" Mandy's face darkened."Visiting Grandpa," Cynthia replied with a smile. "Is

Jay quickly tried to smooth things over."Lucien, apologize. Now!"Leo jumped in to help."The company can't run without Lucien, Dad. Please, calm down...""The company will collapse without him?" Thomas slammed the table."Are you saying there's no one else?! Are the rest of you useless?!"Jay and Leo both fell silent, inwardly cursing Thomas's favoritism. If Mandy really took over, what future would they have?Cynthia stood by coldly, waiting for Lucien's decision. His grip on her wrist was so tight it hurt—but then she heard him speak, calm and steady:"I only brought her here to let everyone know—I'm remarrying her. As for the CEO position... it's just a title." He gave a faint smile."There's no shortage of talent in the world. Grandpa can replace me anytime."With that, he turned and walked out, dragging Cynthia behind him—leaving behind a room full of stunned faces.Cynthia stumbled to keep up, her heart swirling with complicated emotions. Did this man truly just give up his fa

Cynthia's red lips had barely left his when the air in the grand hall froze solid. Stacey's face turned a deep shade of fury, her nails digging into her palms as though she were about to leap forward and tear Cynthia apart.Just then, Marcus appeared at the perfect moment, bowing respectfully."Young Master, Sir requests you and the lady in the study."Thomas's long-time assistant looked utterly composed, as if Cynthia had never left—still one of the rightful mistresses of the house.Lucien took Cynthia by the wrist and led her through the crowd. At the center of the ballroom, Mandy stared at their retreating figures with such intensity that her dance steps fell out of rhythm."That bitch's got you this distracted?" she hissed, her nails digging sharply into Edric's shoulder. "Don't forget who helped you get where you are."Edric tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her in during the spin. His voice was low against her ear."This arrangement was your idea. As for the BW position…"

The lights in the room suddenly went out. A spotlight cut through the darkness, illuminating the spiral staircase.A red carpet lined the stairs, and fresh flowers were wrapped around the banisters. Mandy descended slowly, wearing a dazzling red mini dress, a glittering crystal crown atop her head, and sky-high red heels that clicked delicately with every step.Edric stepped forward and offered his hand to guide her down. She flashed him a flirtatious smile. Edric gently held her hand."My princess, happy birthday," he whispered, before planting a soft kiss on her cheek.They looked like a prince and princess straight out of a fairytale. The scene was picture-perfect, and the applause thundered through the room.Cynthia watched the whole display. Watched the man who had been part of her entire youth now smiling so happily while holding another woman's hand, walking toward Thomas. Even though she had long considered Edric nothing more than trash, she couldn't stop the rush of emotions.

"Well, well, look who we have here…"A middle-aged man's voice cut through the noise.Cynthia turned and saw two men who closely resembled Lucien—his uncles, Jay and Leo. With a composed smile, she greeted them politely, "It's been a while."Jay and Leo both flashed knowing, meaningful smiles when they noticed Cynthia standing beside Lucien.Unlike Janet, who would start screaming the moment she saw Cynthia, these two were all charm and civility, as if greeting an old friend after many years. Jay spoke first, voice layered with implication:"Cynthia. What a surprise, seeing you here."Unfazed, Cynthia casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, glanced at Lucien, and replied,"I'm just as surprised to be back here seeing you all again. Life's full of surprises, wouldn't you agree?"Jay paused, then let out a hearty laugh."Well said, Cynthia. You're right—life is full of surprises!"Leo cut in, "Lucien, are you two… getting back together? You never mentioned it."Jay quickly jump

In the parking lot, Janet finally broke down, sobbing uncontrollably."He actually threatened to send me to Black Island—for her!"She stomped her feet hysterically. "I'm telling Grandpa! He'll kick her out for sure!"Selena clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. Lucien's words still echoed in her mind, stabbing like knives. All her hatred found a new target—Cynthia. It was all that bitch's fault."She's your brother's ex-wife?" Selena asked, barely keeping her fury in check."That's her!" Janet gritted her teeth. "She cheated on him back then—everyone knew! And now she dares come back?"A flicker of malice flashed in Selena's eyes, though her face remained composed with concern."Lucien is completely under her spell. Bringing her here tonight… he must be serious about getting back together."Janet's face turned pale. Lucien held the reins of power in the family now. If he insisted..."No way! I won't allow it!" Janet grabbed Selena's hand. "You have to help