Quinn stared at the text from Ryan for a long while and eventually texted, "A miss is a miss."She did not want to start over.Ryan did not text her back after that, and Quinn put away her phone.She reclined against the chaise lounge and kept staring at the city skyline.She was really sleepy, but did not want to go to bed for some reason.She simply lay there, letting herself space out and eventually falling asleep before long.Sam found her on the chaise lounge when he entered, rolling his eyes disapprovingly at her inability to take care of herself.She fell asleep on the couch in the afternoon and somehow neglected to use the two blankets nearby—did she think cellphones could be used for blankets? Slightly irked, he strode over, arched his back, and scooped her up in his arms.Quinn sensed his touch and frowned, shaking her body in discomfort.Sam's heart skipped a beat as he stared at her nervously, as she looked like she could wake up at any moment.He had no idea wh
As Sam left the bathroom, Quinn could smell the faint scent of soap from his body.She could not help being nervous.The first time they did it had been unpleasant, and they were only intimate for a handful of times.She stayed beneath the blanket, her body stiffened as she stopped herself from breathing too loudly.However, she kept waiting for a while, but he never got into bed.In fact, the scent of scent was gone, and the lights were turned off.She discreetly opened her eyes and peeked around, and she found Sam reclining on the chaise lounge where she was earlier.So… He was never going to share the bed with her, and he was just kind enough to carry her to bed because she was sleeping where he would sleep.A man should always show chivalry—no matter how hopeless he was, Sam should never let her sleep on the couch.Her heart felt doused, her faint spark of hope vaporized.All she presumed turned out to be nothing but presumptions.She did not sleep well that night, tho
Sam snapped hostilely, "Don't bother with your feigned niceties!"He was clearly upset with her.Quinn's eyes welled with tears as she watched him. She was clearly just trying to be nice…"Get out! I'm trying to sleep here!"Quinn bit her lip and left without another word.She was going to call a concierge to get breakfast prepared for him, but he probably would not want it. In fact, he might take it as a gesture of harassment, waking him while he was sleeping.Once Quinn was gone, Sam tempestuously leapt out of the chaise lounge and headed over to the bed to sleep.He was already in a bad mood because Quinn woke him, and he could guess that Ryan called her.Ryan had actually called him, inviting him to join him with Quinn on a trip around the capital, but he rejected it without hesitation, saying that he was going out with Bob.He was instinctively repulsed by his own brother. To no surprise, Ryan said that he would bring Quinn along since he was not going."Whatever," he
The food was good—Ryan still remembered what Quinn liked, and she would be lying if she said that she did not feel touched.It was hard not to compare Ryan to Sam, who were as different as heaven was to earth."Is it good?" Ryan asked."Very.""Can you finish it?""No," Quinn admitted—it was a large box of meatloaf, and she could only eat half at most."Feed me if it's alright with you. I haven't had breakfast yet," Ryan said."You haven't eaten? Why didn't you eat while you waited for me?" Quinn exclaimed in surprise."It would get cold if I let the hot steam out, and I wasn't hungry."Quinn pursed her lips, and held a slice of meatloaf near his mouth, and as he bit down, his lips touched her finger.Quinn stiffened and put the slice on the handbrake housing. "Eat it when you can.""Yeah," Ryan replied with an obvious grin.Quinn must be embarrassed from touching him just now.Soon, they arrived at the city wall—where the capital lacked tourist spots, there were plenty of
Ryan did a double take before exclaiming in surprise, "But we just visited one place and I had two others in mind. They aren't that far either—are you tired or perhaps busy?""Neither," Quinn replied."Well, you're here anyway—you should at least have some fun before you get home. Don't worry, I won't lose you," Ryan joked."We should be keeping our distance." Quinn cut straight to the point right then.Ryan's smile stiffened. "Do you have to be so distant, Quinn?""Nothing would come of this. And I don't want you to cause any misunderstanding between me and Sam.""Why?" Ryan asked Quinn. "I know how you feel—that you love me and not him. Why are you changing your mind now that we can be together? Are my parents pressuring you? Don't worry. I'll talk to them and take responsibility for anything—""It's not them," Quinn said, cutting him short. "I don't love you anymore."Ryan froze in shock, not quite able to register the heartache he felt while wondering if he was hearing thin
Sam's voice was cold but clearly lucid—there was no way Quinn could tell that he had been drinking.She told him her location and quietly waited for him in her car, but he never came after a long time.In reality, she had been at once surprised and regretful that she called him. Why call Sam? He was the last one who would help her.She should be calling the cops, the insurance company, or even the car repair shop.Maybe she already wanted to get along with Sam since then and therefore asked him for help.But he never came, although he did call her."How badly are you hurt?""I bumped my head when I crashed my car, but I don't think it's that serious.""Call the cops, and then an ambulance before contacting your insurance company to assess if you're eligible for compensation," Sam said. "I'm hanging up now.""Aren't you coming?" Quinn asked him, her eyes welling with tears.She actually knew what to do—standard operating procedures were basic knowledge for a lawyer like her.
"I know you're nice and good at heart, Quinn, but I'd rather you open your eyes," Ryan said, his voice becoming stern. "If you keep going like this, you'll hurt yourself and Sam too."Quinn was slightly stunned, and as she stared fixedly at Ryan, he continued, "You should know that you're the one who calls the shots in your marriage with Sam—he'd never divorce you as long as our parents are around. But have you considered his feelings in the matter? He can't get a divorce, and the media would have a field day with him if he messes around with other women—he's stuck between a rock and a hard place too.""But I think—""That he likes you? Just because he came for you even if he was drunk?" Ryan demanded.Quinn nodded—she definitely felt that Sam was into her.Why else would he go that far? Forget drunk driving—he would never leave the bar once he started drinking.And yet, he went to get her just from a phone call despite the downpour and the alcohol.She had to admit that she w
From the looks of it, the woman was nude.Quinn had the feeling that Sam was naked when he lay in bed before as well.Could it be…Quinn strode up to the bed while Sam frowned, watching her every move.He thought she would turn and leave right away when she caught them—that was how it always went with her.But now, she suddenly turned back!"Kyah!" The woman in the bed suddenly yelped as Quinn pulled the blanket off her.She had been using that blanket just last night, and now, another woman was using it?Did Sam really not find that filthy? Was it not possible for him to do this elsewhere?Did it have to be the bed she slept in, and must he let her see this?!"What are you doing?!" Sam bellowed as he pulled Quinn away a little forcefully.Quinn almost stumbled and fell, but he caught her in reflex.Still, he released her at the next instant and growled impatiently, "Get out."With those words, he promptly turned away, leaving Quinn staring at his cold figure.To think th
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