Chapter: Chapter Sixty𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚I sit behind the wheel, fingers drumming restlessly against the steering. For the tenth time, I check the time on the dashboard. She’s not late—not really. But my nerves are a different story.At her insistence, today’s outing is to be strictly casual. No romance, no pressure, no expectations. I tried to pick the most un-date-like date imaginable. So, football. The one place people shout themselves hoarse, spill overpriced beer on each other, and wear matching jerseys without anyone batting an eye.Still, even with all the effort to keep things simple, I’m nervous. Because it’s her.Then, I see her car pull into the lot.She steps out, and everything slows. She’s wearing the team jersey I’d sent her—red and white, the same as mine—paired with light blue jeans and white sneakers. Casual. Effortless. Gorgeous.She tosses me a small smirk as she approaches. “Don’t look so surprised, doctor. I do own casual clothes.”“You’re sure you’re not secretly trying to outshine the pla
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-15
Chapter: Chapter Fifty-Nine𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚His office is still the calm, neat space I remember, though now I notice how strikingly organized it is. The books on the shelf are arranged alphabetically, a soft lavender-scented diffuser hums in the corner, and a small bonsai tree sits by the window like a gentle sentinel. There’s not a single paper out of place, every pen lined up with precision. It’s the kind of space that mirrors Marcus himself—composed, measured, and quietly meticulous.He closes the door behind me and gestures to the chair opposite his desk. I sink into it wordlessly as he moves around, taking his usual seat behind the desk and resting both hands on the surface like he’s bracing for something heavier than an update.“Florence is healing faster than expected,” he begins. His voice is calm but firm, always steady. “Her vitals are stable, her scans are clean, and she’s responding well to treatment. If everything stays on track, she could be discharged by next weekend.”I close my eyes for a brief sec
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-14
Chapter: Chapter Fifty-Seven𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚I linger in the hallway for a while, staring at the half-open hospital door like it’s a threshold to something I’m not ready to face. Inside, Marcus still plays with Florence, their laughter carrying softly into the corridor like a warm breeze on a cold day. My hand is frozen mid-air, inches from pushing the door open, but I just… can’t.Not yet.My emotions are too jumbled—grief, gratitude, guilt, and something dangerously close to longing. Seeing him like that—soft and unguarded—reminded me of a version of him I hadn’t allowed myself to imagine. It’s disarming. And it’s why I turn away, intending to head back toward the elevators, maybe find a quiet place to gather myself.But as I turn, I nearly collide with someone.She’s standing silently behind me—slender, in a wrinkled blouse and jeans, her coat draped hastily over one arm. Her hair is in a messy bun, strands falling loose around her tired but softened features. I recognize her immediately: the child’s mother.She
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-13
Chapter: Chapter Fifty-Seven 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚It’s just past 10 a.m. when my personal assistant, Winifred, bursts into my office, tablet in hand, eyes gleaming with the kind of enthusiasm that usually spells either disaster or a sudden stroke of genius. I look up from the contract I’ve been revising for the last twenty minutes, one brow lifting in silent question.“You’re going to want to see this, Miss. Hawthorne,” she says, practically skipping to my desk.“Please tell me that’s not another scandal brewing,” I mutter, half-joking. After the week I’ve had, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone’s unearthed some long-forgotten college photos or declared I secretly run a cult in my spare time.“Quite the opposite actually, Boss.” Winnie swings the tablet around so I can see the analytics dashboard. “Sales are up. Way up. Nearly thirty-two percent since yesterday. Online traffic has doubled since this morning alone. And…” she swipes to another page, “…our social sentiment index has shifted. Positively.”I blink at the numb
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-12
Chapter: Chapter Fifty-Six𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐬Saturday afternoon stretches out before me like a question I don't quite have the answer to. I'm home, sitting at the edge of the leather sofa, phone in hand, thumb hovering over Aretha's contact.Should I text her? Call her? Ask how she's holding up?The memory of last night lingers. Her trembling voice. The kiss. That look in her eyes when she pulled away. Part fear, part need. And then, nothing. Silence since.I sigh and toss the phone onto the couch beside me, running both hands down my face. She's probably overwhelmed, dealing with press vultures and her family. The last thing she needs is me barging into her peace—or what's left of it.A ping vibrates on my phone. It’s from Cameron: "Meeting at the club. 5PM sharp. Drinks on Nathaniel. Don’t be late."I almost laugh. Nathaniel probably didn’t even agree to that.• • •The gentleman’s club isn’t as rowdy as usual. Rich men in tailored suits, cigars in one hand, arrogance in the other. Gold accents glint in the dim li
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-11
Chapter: Chapter Fifty-Five𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚I wake up to the distinct scent of chamomile tea and the soft clinking of china. For a brief second, I think I’ve dreamt it all up—the accident, the hospital, the mother’s accusations, the kiss with Marcos. But when I open my eyes and see Mom standing at the foot of my bed, holding a tray while wearing her signature pinched expression of maternal concern, I know I didn’t.“Aretha, darling,” she says carefully, as though afraid she might shatter me if she speaks too loudly, “you don’t have to go in today.”I sit up, blinking away the sleep from my eyes. “I do.”“You shouldn’t.” She sets the tray on my bedside table. “Not after everything yesterday. The media is going to be relentless. And emotionally, you’re—”“I’m fine, Mom. Seriously. I appreciate your concern, though.”She gives me a look that says she’s not convinced, but she knows me well enough not to argue. Still, she lingers while I get ready, watching me like I’m about to unravel. I offer a small smile and a kiss
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-10
Masuk
