"If they really get married, will Zach still have a good life? Aralyn, even if you don't think about yourself, you have to think about Zach. He's your flesh and blood. Can you bear to see him suffer?"My past self definitely couldn't.I prioritized him in everything for fear he would suffer even a little.But what did I get in return?He would hurt himself and me just to make me, as his mother, step aside!I didn't feel the urge to explain; I only mentioned briefly, "The mistress treats him well."My mother was dissatisfied with my rebuttal. "Can anyone treat him better than his mother?"I sneered. "Probably, since he now calls the mistress 'Mom'."My mother furrowed her brows, clearly not expecting Zach could act so outrageous. Not knowing what to say, she held my hand in silence.At this moment, I felt the urge to confide. "Shayne and Zach like the mistress. In this family, I have long been an outsider. Since that's the case, I don't want this kind of family anymore.""Sill
I finally got a good look at the man in front of me.His features were handsome enough to rival a star, but his demeanor was cold.Just standing there, he exuded an air of superiority that kept others at a distance.If I had known him, I would definitely remember his face.But after thinking hard, I still couldn't recall where I might have seen such a face. "Do I know you?" I asked.The man, fearing I might misunderstand, proactively explained, "You fell down the stairs the day before yesterday. We took you to the emergency room."Before he told me this, I had always thought Shayne who was right behind me saved me after hearing the sound of my fall.I lowered my gaze.So, it wasn't Shayne…I looked at the man in front of me. "Thank you for saving my life."This was no small matter.Of course, a simple verbal thank-you wouldn't suffice. "I don't know how I can repay you."A smile appeared in his eyes. "Actually, I happen to need your help with something."Since giving bir
As if afraid I would misunderstand, Julian quickly added, "Of course, I'll pay you a salary."But I was not divorced yet. If I were to leave Shayne and Zach abruptly to take care of a stranger's child, it might negatively affect Julian.I wasn't sure how to respond."I understand your situation..." Julian mentioned as he handed me a sleek, black business card embossed in gold. "And I know you'll need time to think it over, so there's no need to rush to give me an answer."After I absentmindedly took the card, Julian got to his feet."I'll take my leave now," he said.As I watched him as he turned to leave, I bit my lip.I didn't have money or a place to stay. After the divorce, I might end up homeless.But now, this incredible opportunity had landed in my lap.I had to seize it. "One week," I suddenly announced, prompting Julian to pause and look back at me in confusion.I quickly explained, "I just need one week to finalize the divorce. After that, I'll come to your house
Luna thanked everyone as she accepted the gifts. In the end, she was so overwhelmed that tears of joy began to fall. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "I never thought my dream would come true. I've actually become a real family with all of you. I'm so happy.""Don't say that," Shayne clumsily comforted her, seemingly couldn't bear to see her tears. "Let's eat first. The food will get cold otherwise."In high spirits, everyone was about to head to the dining room when Shayne suddenly stopped. He turned around, and that was when he saw me standing at the door. The smile on his face froze instantly. When he stopped, the others also turned to look. Their faces turned sour when they realized that I had come home.I looked at them, a fire of uncontrollable anger igniting within me. It hadn't even been seven days since I lost my child… The very people who caused my miscarriage weren't feeling any guilt at all. Instead, they were gathered here, enjoying themselves as if nothing had happen
Tired of compromising, I countered coldly, "I don't think I've done anything wrong."Hearing this, Shayne immediately stood up.I ignored him and turned to head back to the bedroom."Aralyn!" Luna suddenly called out to me at that moment.I turned to look at her.Luna was a beautiful woman. Even with just light makeup and her hair casually tied up, she was still stunning.Seeing that I didn't answer her, she hurriedly informed me, "I only made breakfast for four today… Sorry. They used to go to my house for breakfast in the mornings. I forgot that this isn't my house…"Luna's eyes were downcast as she spoke, her tear-filled gaze making her look pitiful and lovable."You didn't do anything wrong!" Shayne couldn't stand to see Luna cry. "There's no need to apologize to her."Tears as big as pearls began to fall, and Luna lamented, "But Aralyn doesn't like me. If I don't seek her forgiveness, I'm afraid she'll blame me. She already took my room last night. Today…She shot a quic
Luna smiled at me. "We're coming home for dinner tonight, though. Please prepare food for us then, Aralyn."She was blatantly taunting me, thinking that she could crush me by doing this. Yet, I ignored them and strode toward the living room.Shayne explained on my behalf, "She's probably still a little upset, but don't worry. She'll come around by the time we come back."Zach chimed in, "That's right. She may be an annoying person, but her cooking skills are excellent. You'll get to enjoy a feast tonight!"Luna asked delightedly, "Really? I'm so excited!"These people seemed to think that I was still in love with Shayne. They assumed I would prepare a huge spread for dinner despite being in a weakened condition just to earn Shayne's forgiveness.Yet, none of them noticed how I was staring at Shayne as though I was looking at a stranger who obviously had something wrong with his head.After they left, I went to the storeroom and found my suitcase. I brought it to my bedroom and o
I got up and headed for the bedroom while responding coldly, "Report it to the authorities, then. Why are you telling me?"Shayne moved to block my way. "It's Luna's ex-husband who's kidnapped Zach."I took one step to the side and moved past him. My voice hardened. "Then, you should be talking to Luna."Shayne caught up with me again and completely blocked my path. "He's very angry because he thinks Luna and I have slept together. He said that he would only let Zach go if you spend a night with him."Shayne sounded torn and helpless. "Honey…"He had not finished what he wanted to say, but I could tell what Shayne was getting at. I was shaking with rage as I slapped him hard across the face."Shayne Pearce! Do you really consider yourself a man?""Honey, Zach is your son! You can't possibly turn your back against him when he's in danger!"He swiftly produced a spray bottle, which he had kept hidden by holding it against his back, and sprayed something onto my face several times
"It was because my son told him that Luna would become his mother if he just stayed with me for a while."Indeed, it sounded like what that ungrateful child would do. I replied indifferently since I was not surprised at all, "Okay."Rowan got to his feet. "Do you know why I'm setting up this equipment? It's for recording the process of me raping you."I'll send it to Shayne tomorrow. Once he's seen us together, he'll give you up entirely!"After saying that, he strode toward me.Judging by his actions so far, I swiftly processed the information I had of him and what I had seen up to this point. In an instant, I thought of the solution.I stared at Rowan straight in the eye. "So, you and Luna are divorced. Yet, you're still listening to her demands and helping her with these things?"Rowan gave me a push. I could not help but fall backward and landed heavily on the hard mattress. Then, Rowan pressed himself against me.Someone who used to live a dignified and privileged life lik
"I learned a lot of things today. Mason told me that your divorce from Rowan wasn't because Rowan's family went bankrupt," Shayne uttered slowly.Luna pushed Shayne away and looked at him. "Why are you suddenly bringing this up?""I'm sorry for misunderstanding you," he apologized.Luna didn't mind. "I wouldn't really call it a misunderstanding. Maybe I was too firm in my decision when I left you, which led you to misunderstand me."Shayne looked into Luna's eyes. "Aralyn said if I don't cherish you, I might regret it in the future. I gave it some thought, and I think she's right. So, from today onward, I want to cherish the days I spend with you."Luna smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Okay. But I've been busy with my career, so I might not have much time.""I'll help you," Shayne replied."Thank you," Luna said sincerely.Having been used to not having money for so long, Luna had developed the habit of saving. Now that she could earn her own money, she was thinking what she should
Shayne suddenly felt that Mason was incredibly smart, but he didn't dislike that kind of intelligence. "Okay."…Shayne dropped Mason off at kindergarten.Then, he drove to Willow's kindergarten. When he saw me about to get into the car, he quickly stepped in front of me. "Let's have a proper talk."I knew that if I didn't give him a chance to speak, he would keep blocking me here until I was willing to talk to him.To avoid wasting time, I decided to settle this quickly. "Alright, what do you want to say?"Shayne wanted to say a lot of things. But the moment he saw me, it was as if all those words got stuck in his throat. He couldn't say a single thing.In the end, he only managed to squeeze out, "Lately, I can't stop thinking about the days we were together."If he only wanted to chat casually or reminisce about the past, that would be a complete waste of my time."So what?"Shayne was used to my indifference, but it still hurt him a little. "Back when I pursued you, I trul
"Back then, Mommy had some savings and used all of it as our expenses. Daddy felt that we couldn't keep living like that, so he resigned from their company. Then, they came over and scolded Mommy."Mason's tone was full of sarcasm. "They said Mommy had instigated Daddy to quit. Mommy was really upset and cried at home secretly. But when Daddy came back, she still greeted him with a smile."Mommy only suffered all this injustice because she married Daddy, so when Mommy stayed quiet about it, I took the initiative to tell Daddy."He patted my head and told me he would handle it. Then, he went to the balcony. I overheard him telling Grandpa and Grandma to stop interfering in his life. He said that since he no longer worked for them and wasn't taking their money, he was already living independently."No one should have anything to say about his wife. That day, Grandpa and Grandma got really mad. Daddy just listened quietly and then hung up the phone. Back then, they were both under a l
"They'll bring that woman and her child into the house, then ask me if she and Daddy make a good match," Mason said.The more Mason spoke, the angrier he got. His cheeks puffed up unconsciously. "They want to set Daddy up with her and hope I'll help them, right? If I refuse, they'll just say I'm not as sensible as her son."Shayne felt that talking to a child about these things seemed pretty inappropriate..But then again, would anyone really be that outrageous?Just then, Mason's phone rang again.He answered and asked, "Do you need something?""Yes!" the two elders replied in unison."Your daddy hasn't been in touch with us lately. Do you know where he is?""No," Mason replied without hesitation.Even if he did know, he wouldn't tell them."When Mommy and I moved out, you said you hoped we would never come back and that you wouldn't contact us. What's going on today? Having regrets?"Mason hadn't planned to speak so harshly.But he really didn't want to have too much cont
Mason sat in the car, looking out the window. After a long time, he finally mustered the courage to turn back and look at Shayne. "Will you still get angry with Mommy in the future?"Shayne didn't understand why Mason suddenly brought this up, but he still answered politely, "I've never been angry with your mommy."Mason was confused. "Then why haven't you come to see us for so long?"Shayne casually made up an excuse. "Because I've been busy with work.""Oh, okay."Realizing he had misunderstood Shayne, Zach quickly apologized, "Sorry.""If I do have conflicts with your mommy in the future, what would you do?" Shayne asked."I wouldn't bother with you. Mommy treats me well," Mason said seriously."When I was very little, I always knew that Mommy really loved money. She always put money first, so when she and my daddy got divorced, I thought she wouldn't want me because raising me is really expensive."Mason's voice carried a trace of sadness. "But Mommy still chose to take me
Willow felt she had once again become the happiest child in the world, and her lips curled into a smile.Julian got up and followed behind us.After washing up, Willow pulled us along for a morning run. When we finished, we took a shower and had breakfast together.The food prepared by the chef at home suited our tastes perfectly.Willow ate in big bites, then started drinking her milk.Finally, Julian and I took her to school together.…Mason woke up in the morning.When he walked into the living room and saw Shayne still there, he didn't show any displeasure. Instead, he smiled brightly. "Dad, you really stayed!"Shayne felt deeply gratified. "That's right.""Take me to school today," Mason said eagerly."Most of my classmates have their parents drop them off, but I… It's always the driver who takes me to school. If this keeps up, they'll think I don't have parents."The more he spoke, the quieter his voice became. And by the end, he sounded pitiful.Shayne couldn't hel
Shayne was unwilling to give up and wanted to talk more. But whenever he tried, Aralyn would find an excuse to leave.Bitterness filled Shayne.He persisted day after day, treating Aralyn well bit by bit. After a long time, Aralyn was finally moved.She finally agreed to date him.But what happened after that?As their relationship deepened, he should have normally fallen in love with Aralyn and naturally stepped into marriage with her.But there was no such memory in Shayne's mind.Their relationship suddenly took a strange turn—Aralyn was the one pursuing him, while he was always avoiding her.Shayne frowned, seriously trying to recall what had happened.It was probably the day before he decided to forget about Luna and sincerely start a life with Aralyn when Luna called him.She said she was living a hard life and wanted to come back and reconcile with him.The smile on Shayne's face gradually turned bitter.At that time, Rowan was still incredibly wealthy. His family sh
The living room was spacious and bright.The food on the dining table was already cold.Even the candles had burned down completely.Aralyn sat quietly at the table. It was only when she heard his footsteps that she lifted her head and looked at him."Didn't you say you would come back to celebrate our anniversary with me? Why are you only back now?" she questioned.It was only then that Shayne realized he hadn't even told Aralyn where he had been.He quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, honey. Something came up at work; I was swamped. I couldn't come back and be with you. I'm really sorry."At the time, Shayne had still been serious about maintaining this family.Aralyn stared straight at him, her eyes carrying a calmness as if she saw through everything. "Are you sure you were working? You know I don't like being lied to. If you're lying, you know what happens."For some reason, Shayne had suddenly chickened out. "I went to pick up a friend."Aralyn didn't show whether she belie
In the past, I would never have dared to imagine that a plush doll I casually designed could turn out so well."Wait a minute."A thought suddenly struck me, and I stared at Julian.Julian didn't understand why I had such an expression on my face."Since the animation can release an entire series of products, then can't my plush dolls also be made into smaller versions? Or maybe I could launch a whole line of merchandise like mugs, keychains, and so on?"Julian hadn't considered this before, but after hearing what I said, he replied, "That could work.""I'll tell Mark right away!" I exclaimed excitedly, about to sit up and grab my phone. But when I glanced at the time, I realized it was too late.Although Mark was dedicated to his work, it didn't seem right to bring this up so late at night.I had no choice but to suppress my excitement and lie back down. "I'll tell him tomorrow."Julian looked at me with deep affection. "Alright."He raised his hand and stroked my hair. "Ara