Although she didn’t have much of an appetite now, Cordy ultimately finished her steak.She was a mother and had an obligation to take care of herself, so that she could take care of Dicky.When she was done, she returned to her bedroom, where she found him deep asleep.Watching as he slept, looking ever so innocent, she decided she would not regret her choice.-Early next morning, Cordy said her goodbyes with Dicky for the time being.Dicky was still under John’s custody before John married Jessica, and Cordy wasn’t cruel enough to insist upon taking Dicky away right now.Moreover, she was convinced that it was safer for Dicky to stay with John."The car’s waiting outside," John told her."Okay," Cordy said, and patted Dicky's little cheeks while assuring him, "You’ll see me again in North City, when school starts again in a few days.""Okay!" Dicky nodded obediently.He was under the impression that his daddy and mommy would be together after yesterday.He had always been
Cordy’s eyes were red and moist, even though she tried not to look outside at John's slowly departing figure.She could not even describe how she felt… It was as if half her heart had gone missing, and she couldn’t breathe.Nonetheless, the helicopter arrived on a clearing in the suburbs in half an hour, where Patrick’s black sedan was waiting.Naturally, he brought more than one car—his security detail became stricter after that accident.Cordy alighted awkwardly from the helicopter, since it was hard walking with crutches. Just as she did so, she found a large, fair hand extended before her.She looked up to find Patrick in his wheelchair, offering her a hand. He had been maimed considerably in that accident, but she didn’t shy from leaning on his arm to get out of the helicopter, and followed him into his car.The helicopter whirled off after they left, just as Cordy realized why John insisted that his mansion was safe. It was hard to find, and chasing a helicopter wasn’
Anyone who got too close would feel intimidated by the men in black's presence, but Cordy walked up to them nonetheless.One of them spoke into the microphone attached to his lapels, and waited until the person inside gave her approval before opening the door for Cordy.The interior of the VVIP room was naturally different from the other rooms, and the extravagance of the decorations inside would leave everyone's eyes lighting up.Naturally, Cordy was in no mood to admire the elegance. She limped with difficulty up to the coffee table…where Jessica sat, elegantly taking a sip of tea.There were four bodyguards in the room with her, and two were standing right behind her. It was obvious that she was wary of Cordy. Nonetheless, there was a flash of surprise in her eyes when she saw that Cordy was alone, though she hid it well by habit."Sit," she beckoned.Cordy didn’t refuse, and sat opposite her."What would you like to drink, Miss Sachs?" "Blue Mountain." After Cordy ga
Jessica’s face dropped immediately after she took the phone and saw the photos on it.No matter how good she was at covering up her feelings, there was no question that she was incensed."What is this?!" she demanded. Cordy just said she had cut all ties with John Levine, yet now, she was showing Jessica a photo of herself in bed with him?!Was it to brag? Or to rub it in Jessica’s face?!Those thoughts only infuriated Jessica further.After all, her engagement and wedding date had been announced for a while, but there was still no spark between her and John at all—they didn’t even hold hands!"Did you really think I won't kill you, Cordy?!" Jessica growled through her teeth.Cordy ignored her and said, "I'm showing this not to prove how intimate John and I were, or to brag about it. This is just to tell you that I can make this public if you push me too far."Jessica's gaze turned cool as she studied Cordy. "To put it bluntly, if you lay a finger on the one who matters m
The only thing that could really threaten Jessica right now was John. If John were hit with a scandal and caused severe controversy, the Stuarts would annul Jessica's engagement with him to protect their reputation.However, said annulment would be a terrible loss to both the Stuarts and Jessica. The former would have their ambitions thwarted, while for Jessica, anyone could tell how crazily in love she was with John.Therefore, if the Stuarts wouldn’t hurt Cordy for that reason, Jessica would not do it either.Even so, Jessica wasn’t so easily threatened. "Did you really think my family and the Levines can't enforce a media blackout even if you publicize this? No one even knows Jay was almost killed in a car accident. You know very well that our families' influences are far beyond what you can ever imagine!""But what if it's Patrick who publicizes these photos?" Cordy asked in return.Jessica scowled, as the threat obviously registered.Cordy regarded Jessica coolly as she cont
Cordy regarded Jessica coolly while her body stiffened ever so slightly, a chill unwittingly running down her spine.Even so, she repressed the terror seizing her chest and remained incredibly calm. But even if Cordy didn’t show it, Jessica knew for sure that Cordy was afraid—no one would feel nothing in this situation."Never crossed your mind that I'd go this far, have you?" She laughed savagely. "Don't you regret dying by my hand in this fashion? I won't mind admitting trying and failing to take your life so many times, only for you to be so kind as to send yourself to my doorstep. You really shouldn't get full of yourself, y'know?""Do you think John would forgive you if you killed me?" Cordy asked her."Would he forgive me even if I don't?" Jessica asked in return. "He'd treat me the same, and it's just better for me if I eliminated a potential threat. And who knows? With you dead, maybe he'd completely give up when there's nothing left for him."Cordy pursed her lips, her
Nonetheless, Jessica didn’t give up. "Do you think you'd still be a Stuart if you did this? That your grandfather could defend you for this? Forget your grandfather—you'd be arrested! And that would be the end of your family!""If you put it that way…" Patrick muttered, clearly hesitant.Jessica's eyes flashed with smugness, pleased by her own cunningness. When it comes to the Stuarts, they never did care who they hurt and would bury their conscience when they stood to gain from something.Cordy saved Patrick's life, but so what? They would abandon family at the drop of a hat!However, that was the same reasoning that foiled Jessica's ploy, as Patrick suddenly said, "Actually, it just occurred to me… If this stalemate continued, your grandfather or brother would order you to kill Cordy anyway. I’d kill you in retaliation, which gives them the excuse to have me arrested immediately, since that would leave my family leaderless and powerless against yours. They'd kill so many birds
Cordy couldn’t help breathing a sigh of relief after following Patrick back to his car.She was a lot less calm as she appeared—but no one would really be fearless when facing down a barrel.All she could do was endure, and tell herself that Patrick was worthy of her trust.If said trust was misplaced…so be it."I thought you weren't afraid," Patrick teased, though his tone soon turned stern. "Did you really think yourself invincible, going in to face Jessica alone?!"Cordy turned to look at him. "You came, didn't you?""You'd be dead if I didn't give you that transmitter," Patrick told her somberly.It was only fortunate that he had been thoughtful, and knew that Jessica was the type who wouldn’t let anything stop her from getting what she wanted."Actually, I had you escort me so that you’d protect me. But I won't mind coming alone either," Cordy admitted.Patrick did a double take, and his tone changed. "Does that mean you knew I'd protect you from the start? That I'd prote
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