Cordy quickly said, "No, it's not made for me."She could understand that Richard meant no harm since he was still a child.But with Wendy around, saying something like that was inevitably inappropriate."No, it really was made for you," Wendy said bluntly then. "I told Johnny to make it for you, since Dicky said you like it. Why don't you have a taste?"Cordy pursed her lips, surprised that Wendy was that magnanimous.In contrast, she felt petty.Nonetheless, she opened her mouth and ate the slice.It was much softer than those purchased, and its sweetness melted in her mouth right away.In fact, Cordy had not been feeling an appetite, but she was suddenly seized by an impulse to start gluttoning."It's good, right?" Wendy asked her expectantly."Yeah.""That's what I've been saying," Wendy said sweetly. "I'm so lucky to have met Johnny. He's rich, handsome, kind, and a good cook. He's just so perfect…"Cordy was going to tell her that she did not have to go that far just
Understanding that she should be grateful, Cordy moved to stand next to John.Wendy raised the smartphone again and said, "Three, two, one, smile!"She even took several more after that."Alright!" Wendy exclaimed when she was done, and she passed Richard his phone back. "Check it out. Are they good?"Richard scrolled through them and quickly said, "It's great, Wendy. Thank you.""Oh, it's nothing," Wendy replied.Things were perfectly harmonious, and Cordy felt like she was not a part of it.However, Richard would always reach out to her, always paying attention to her mood like he did now."Mommy, can I film a video of you and Daddy working together?"Cordy was going to say no, but John agreed to it right away. "Sure."Cordy glanced between John and Wendy, the latter who shrugged nonchalantly. "Of course—anything that makes you happy, Dicky.""You're the best, Wendy.""Of course," Wendy said smugly. "And I'll treat you the same even after I have a soccer team with your da
Stunned, their eyes met for seconds before Cordy quickly pushed John away and turned her back on him.They had been so close she spaced out for a moment, but she still felt John's hot breath becoming rushed.She could also feel her own heart racing wildly, while her cheeks burned.She took a deep breath to calm herself, deciding that she had been a little careless just then."That was great, Mommy! Do your best!" Richard quickly exclaimed just then, cheering her on as he noticed the awkwardness between his parents.Cordy slowly calmed down as well and seriously learned baking from John while quietly keeping his distance.Naturally, he did not step out of line either—in fact, he was paying considerable attention not to get too close since he felt her aversion.Soon, they finished making cookies, which were a little charred but tasted good.Cordy felt a strong sense of accomplishment, especially with Richard munching while flattering her."Wow, your cookies are wonderful, Mommy!
Wendy continued, "Oh, stop teasing me. John is handsome and great in every way, and I'm lucky to have him, but I can't help it, y'know? My preference for freshness and excitement is inborn. There's no stopping me."Oh, don't give me that crap. I'll try to slip out later—I won't miss out on such a stud."Wendy kept chatting for a while, laughing mischievously from time to time.Cordy avoided her in turn and headed out to the back garden, where she found John and Richard setting up the barbecue set.The back garden had also been decorated elaborately to look romantic and homely. Richard eagerly called out to her, "Mommy! You're finished with work? Daddy and I have prepared dinner—it's almost done now. I was just going to get you.""Yeah, I'm finished with work," Cordy replied and walked up to them.John was focused on preparing the food, while Cordy could not resist sliding several glances at him.Richard laughed just then. "Mommy, why are you staring at Daddy? Do you find him h
John rose to his feet nonetheless. "I'll walk you to the front gates, at least."He really was meticulous when it came to Wendy."Okay," she smiled sweetly in turn, before turning to Cordy and Richard, "I'm sorry. I have to leave since my friend's in trouble. Enjoy your meal."Cordy said nothing, while Richard nodded cheerfully. "Okay, Wendy. Come again next time.""Of course I will.""See you."Wendy gave him a pat on the head before leaving.When she was gone, Richard could not help sighing. "Wendy's so nice."Cordy felt a little miffed at that but thought to herself that she really was not jealous this time.She was just conflicted—should she expose Wendy here? It took John a while to return after walking Wendy to the gates, and Cordy presumed that they must have gotten a little frisky.They were still in the honeymoon period and were perhaps reluctant to be apart even for a second.Cordy looked at John, who felt her gaze and asked, "Do you have something to say?"She
Richard saw Cordy and quickly put a finger on his lips so she would stay quiet.He certainly looked upset and was reluctant to have John woken up.Cordy pursed her lips and said softly, "We can't let your daddy sleep on the couch the whole night…""I'll ask him to sleep in one of the rooms," Richard quickly said."No, what I mean is, shouldn't we ask Wendy to get him? He's drunk, and he needs someone to take care of him when it's this late.""Can't I do it?" Richard asked, a little disappointed. "You're still a child.""Can't you do it?""That's inappropriate considering our current relationship," Cordy said seriously.Richard was unhappy about it, but he nodded tamely regardless.Cordy texted Wendy, since they exchanged numbers earlier.However, Wendy did not answer, so Cordy called her.It took a while for Wendy to answer, and it was very noisy on the other end for a while before things finally quieted down."What is it, Cordy?" Wendy asked."John got drunk and fell as
It took Cordy and Richard great effort to finally move John to a room.Just as they put him on the bed, Richard suddenly exclaimed, "Whoops.""What's wrong?" Cordy asked, seeing the anxiety on his face just then."I have to submit the vlog tomorrow, but it's already very late and I haven't edited anything." Richard looked very worried."You can go do it now," Cordy told him."But Daddy is drunk. Someone needs to take care of him," Richard said, clearly in a dilemma.However, he was also obviously staring at Cordy, clearly wanting her to help.Cordy sighed—she had to spoil her own son."Yeah, I'll take care of him.""Thanks, Mommy. You're the best!" Richard exclaimed with visible joy.But as Cordy watched him leave, she sighed, somehow feeling like she had fallen for a trap.Still, she got up and helped John out of his jacket and socks, after which she went to the washroom and wet a hot towel for him, wiping his cheek bit by bit while complaining to herself inwardly—who was J
Cordy's eyes flashed, and John looked down to find himself topless.He promptly picked up his shirt that was left nearby to cover himself.Cordy frowned—obviously, she wanted John to get dressed, but it irked her seeing him getting agitated as if she was the one taking advantage of him.Did he have to be so dramatic? It was not like she hadn't seen him naked. Still, she watched as John quickly put his clothes on and said, "I didn't know when I took it off. I didn't mean to…"Then, he quickly got to his feet, ready to leave bed—whether he moved too quickly or he was still drunk and dizzy, he wobbled as he got up.He looked like he could fall at any moment, so Cordy reached out by instinct to hold him.However, the instant she touched him, he flinched and shifted away from her… which led to him dropping to the floor with a dull thud. It was certainly a horrible fall, and it left the man himself stunned, unable to regain his senses even as he lay sprawled on the floor.Cordy si
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a