Richard retorted, "What, are you afraid?""Don't bother provoking me." Lucas snorted. "That won't work.""Alright, then I'll pull it out myself," Richard said and started to reach for Lucas' head."Wait." Seeing that, Lucas clenched his teeth and pulled out a strand of his hair. "Take it and go."Richard smiled smugly in turn and happily left the room with the strand of hair.However, he was in such a good mood that he started running and crashed into Winston as he reached the walkway.He was so fast he almost knocked Winston down as he slammed into him but reacted quickly to catch him. "Are you alright, Winston?!""I'm fine, I'm fine," Winston said, his heart racing. "Are you alright, sir?""I'm fine… Wait, where's my hair?!" Richard suddenly cried out in panic. "What hair?" Winston asked worriedly.Nonetheless, Richard promptly dropped to a crouch to start looking. Since he had used both hands to catch Winston just now, he had no idea where he dropped the hair! "It's v
Cordy was left infuriated even as Lucas violently dragged her to his room. "Are you crazy, Lucas?!"What was he doing in the middle of the night?!Did he not hate her getting close to him?!"You're the crazy one!" Lucas growled viciously. "You stood me up after I warmed the bed for you! You know, I really should…"Cordy glared at him.What could he do to her, when she knew all too well that he was not interested in her body?!"Should, what?!" Cordy challenged him."I…" Lucas once again trailed off, unable to say anything for a long while."What can you do to me—ah!"Cordy yelped as her whole body was pinned against the wall, his towering form restraining her dainty figure in place and denying her any chance of escape.Under the dim lights, she saw the fury in his eyes as if he could eat her.She was really confused—how did she upset him?!"You're really not afraid of me, are you?" Lucas growled through his teeth, his face contorted with rage.Cordy had the feeling he was j
It was not as if they had not slept together before.However, while Cordy slept as if it was natural on both previous occasions, now that Lucas actually let her sleep in his bed, she felt a little psychologically resistant to the idea.As such, she did not fall asleep, just as she could sense that Lucas was not falling asleep either.Like she said, they did not have to do it.But just as she was about to leave, a pair of large hands pulled her back to bed—and his arm strength was certainly strong, holding her firmly as if she was a pet!In the next instant, she felt her entire person being pressed against his chest, while Lucas demanded above her head, "Sleep!"She was speechless. Did he have no understanding of tenderness?!"I've never warmed anyone's bed before. Waste my sacrifice, and I'll give you a beating!" he threatened savagely then.Cordy was at a loss for words—he was obviously being nice, but somehow could be violent about it.She wondered how his girlfriend dealt w
Lucas was dreaming about something utterly soft and mild. He felt great in every inch of his body as if he had arrived in paradise, delighting his body and so.Naturally, the sudden shriek beside his ear startled him.He opened his groggy eyes and saw Cordy from up close, looking utterly unhappy and… blushing?Lucas, however, did not care that much—being yanked out of his sweet dream left his temper flaring."Is this how you treat your savior, Cordy Sachs?!" he growled angrily. "I would have been careful not to wake you if I woke early myself, but you'd actually treat me so harshly! Doesn't your conscience hurt?!"Cordy was actually prepared, expecting grouchiness from him when he woke her.Biting her lip, she said, "I was worried you'll regret it.""What would I regret? Wait, I am already regretting warming your bed! I mean, insomnia? You're clearly sleeping like a log, even snoring so loudly I can't sleep at all! And the instant I closed my eyes and started to sleep, you had
Whatever. Cordy decided to leave the misunderstanding alone, since she did not want her efforts to go to waste, not after she had gone through such lengths to bring Lucas back to the mansion.-Meanwhile, Lucas stayed in his bed until noon.He was unable to sleep after Cordy left. He was supposed to be absolutely sleepy since he went the whole night without sleep, but somehow could not.He realized then how horrible it was to lose sleep.But Cordy somehow went through the same thing for days and nights. How did she survive that?!Soon, he got out of bed and headed downstairs after washing up and getting changed.Richard was practicing the piano softly downstairs. He leaped off the piano and stood when he saw that Lucas was up and walked up to him. "You're up, Daddy!""Call me Lucas.""Okay." Richard nodded tamely—he was going to verify their connection soon enough when he headed to the hospital.He would make sure that his mommy and daddy knew that he was right."Where
Cordy was driving home when she realized why Richard was behaving unusually—he obviously wanted to set her up with Lucas.Her son had been convinced that Lucas was John and was therefore single-minded about getting them together.But despite knowing that, she did not want to rain on Richard's parade—Richard was a major reason for her to live right now, after all.Therefore, she had no reason to refuse anything that made her son happy—as long as it did not violate her principles, naturally.When she returned to the mansion, Richard was already having lunch with Lucas.Noticing that she returned just then, Richard quickly called out to her, "Mommy! Lucas said he's hungry, so we started without you.""That's fine." She smiled, putting down her bag and heading to the dining room.Lucas never once looked up, while Richard said with slight disappointment, "He also told me that he's leaving for the capital after lunch.""Yeah, I know, Cordy replied and turned toward Lucas with composu
There was a large bruise over Cordy's head too.While Lucas was hesitating if he should help her to her feet, Richard cried out worriedly from behind, "Mommy!"He must have heard her fall and rushed up the stairs.Winston was following the boy and was stunned to find Cordy on the floor and bleeding profusely from her nose. "What happened, Ms. Sachs?! I'll get the family doctor right this instant!""Mommy? Mommy? Does it hurt? You're bleeding…" Richard was crouching on the floor, heartbreak showing all over his little face.Lucas, however, knew that someone as young as Cordy would not suffer much from a fall like that.Hence, he turned to leave after a brief hesitation.Cordy hence watched as she went, thinking to herself that she honestly did not want to see that vile man ever again.She would never reach out to him even if he lived next door!-To no surprise, Lucas never got in touch with Cordy ever since he left North City. They both seemed content to stay in their respect
Richard returned home happily in the afternoon, and the first thing he did was to ask Winston urgently, "Was there a parcel for me, Winston?""Parcel?" Winston was perplexed."It's on your desk. I happened to be here when it arrived, so I put it in your room," Cordy said casually from the couch while watching TV."Thanks, Mommy!" Richard said politely before dashing upstairs."Be careful, you'll trip if you run too quickly! Even the lump on Ms. Sachs' head has yet to fade!" Winston warned him loudly from downstairs.Cordy could not help pursing her lips, since she did not go to work because of that huge lump on her head.She could not help remembering Lucas in turn… along with that paternity test.She was feeling an emotional roller coaster right then.-Richard excitedly found the parcel on his desk.He had always been sharp and meticulous, but he was somehow completely oblivious to the fact that the parcel had been opened.He promptly picked up the envelope and took out 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