He had crossed the line. Rickard’s hand froze in mid-air, then he took it back. “I’m sorry.” Hesper didn’t speak, so Rickard continued. “I’m fine with sending him to school, but we need to ask Ren if he’s fine with it.”It was fine to ask Ren’s opinion because Hesper respected his opinion. Whether he went or not would be up to him. She wouldn’t make the decision for him even though she was his mother. “Alright, we’ll speak to him tomorrow.”Hesper looked tired, so Rickard didn’t say more. “I’m leaving now, rest well.”The next day when Renfrew got there, Hesper and Rickard brought up the topic. “Do you not want me around anymore?” Renfrew thought that Hesper wanted to send him to boarding school, so he gave her puppy eyes. “I’ll be good. I ate half a scoop of ice cream last night but I won’t do it again. Please don’t send me away!”Hesper was surprised at the confession. She told him to not have more ice cream because the season was changing and he might just catch a cold
Rickard thought she was asking if it was alright. “Alright, we’ll go together then.”Hesper was silent, but seeing how happy Renfrew was and how Rickard already agreed, Renfrew would be devastated if she rejected, so she agreed too. “Alright, but if Mommy or… or Daddy is busy, then we wouldn’t be able to go together.”Renfrew nodded. “Alright, you’re the best! Daddy too, but you’re a little behind.” Hesper laughed and her thin shoulder blades trembled like a butterfly that was ready to take flight. Hesper and Rickard were almost fully recovered. Hesper was very wary of her health, so she would only go home once the doctor said it was fine for her to, but Rickard stayed because he wanted to spend time with her. Benji would tease him every time he sent documents over because when he was more badly injured than this, he didn’t take as much time off. Even when Juniper was with Rickard, his judgment would never be swayed because of relationships, especially when it came to wor
Ms. Myriade: You can be a normal child… That’s so nice. Renfrew didn’t understand the complicated emotions, but Ms. Myriade seemed to think that going to a nursery was a good idea. “Ren, time to sleep. You’ll be going to the nursery tomorrow.”Hesper finished showering and saw Renfrew’s blushed cheeks. She couldn’t help but give it a kiss, then patted his head while smiling. “You’re a good boy!” Renfrew blushed more and said goodnight to Ms. Myriade, then place his phone down. “Goodnight Mommy!”The next day, Rickard waited outside Hesper’s home on time. He wasn’t in a business suit but rather in sportswear. It looked casual and didn’t seem as though he already had a child as old as Renfrew. Hesper got into the car with the child and saw Rickard in sportswear. She never saw him wearing that before because he was always in a suit that looked so expensive that people just felt distant from him. “You look so young today, Daddy!”Hesper was wearing sportswear too because t
Hesper didn’t know to cry or to laugh. She looked at this man in front of him and felt that she didn’t know him anymore. In his mind, Rickard was a calm and strong man who would be able to solve any problem. He was the symbol of the rise of a business empire because the Duvals peaked under his leadership. However, the man in front of her now was looking at her with childlike eyes, saying something that even high-schoolers wouldn’t say. He didn’t even know what love was, so how could the older Hesper beg for him to stay? “No, I’m not unhappy.”Renee’s car drove over at that moment, so Hesper nodded to him. “You don’t need to come to get me later. I’ll come over when it’s time. I need to go now.”Before Rickard could say anything, she was already in the car. Renee drove away quickly and pretty much didn’t stop longer than needed, as if Rickard was a virus and all she wanted was to get Hesper away as soon as possible. “Don’t worry, he won't do anything to me.”Hesper though
“The building has been refurbished, so it might be different from what you remembered.”The facilities at Genecity University weren’t too bad because they would get new supplies every year, but she never saw them fully refurbish a building. Hesper realized how much the ‘refurbishment’ was when she walked into the building. It was as though everything except the frame of the building was new. Outsiders would think that it was a different school. “I remembered that the Duval Group sponsored to refurbish the art faculty. Other than this building, that one had a facelift too.”Hesper froze in her steps. “Duval Group?”Seeing her reaction, the counselor explained. “I don’t know a lot of details because this doesn’t concern me… But I heard people saying that one of the Duvals studied here.”There wasn’t anyone from the family who studied here. Emotions rose in Hesper’s heart. Did Ernest refurbish the place while she was pregnant so she could be surprised when she resumed her st
The time that was supposed to be for her to get to know the campus turned into a time for Jessie to bring Hesper around while the counselor walked behind them with a box. “Isn’t the paint needed now?” Hesper was used to Jessie’s enthusiasm, but now it was a little too much for her. “Why are you here? To see Professor Jenkins?”Jessie waved her hand. “I stayed to work as a tutor after graduation because my dad says my art is questionable, so I shouldn’t show it to the public.”Hesper was amused. Jessie didn’t want to get into art at first, but Professor Jenkins wanted someone to follow in his footsteps, so he trained her since she was a child to make sure that she did. Maybe because he was too stubborn in the past, but now he could tell that Jessie really wasn’t interested in designing. Even though she had immaculate skills, she had no inspiration. After all, artistic creation requires enthusiasm, and Jessie wasn’t cut out for this, as she herself admitted.The counselor knew h
“Let’s go in.”The teacher had to talk to the parents on the first day of kindergarten; both of them knew this.“Yeah.” Hesper nodded and asked Renee to go back by herself first, as she wanted to go to the mall to buy some delicious food with Renfrew after fetching him from school, only then would they go home.Rickard observed Hesper secretly from the side— Her hair was tied up, which was rare to see. It made her look very similar to the version of herself from way back, when she was in her student days and only dared to follow him around quietly, and it looked just like a tiny ponytail.Hesper seemed very happy that day; her brows and eyes looked unusually relaxed. She might not have even realized that, when the two of them were walking side by side, even the corners of her lips curled slightly upward.“Go left.” Hesper looked at Rickard, who was walking straight forward, and called out to him. “Rickard? What’s occupying that brain of yours?”‘You.’Rickard came back to his se
“So, it might be difficult for him to integrate into the group because his mindset is not on the same level as the other children. I’m not saying that I think Renfrew doesn’t fit well with the class but that he looks very lonely, which is definitely detrimental to the growth of a child. I had imagined many possibilities before you came. After all, most of the children in our school come from relatively wealthy families. Renfrew’s personality most probably comes from his family, and judging from your interactions, I’m guessing that you seem to be at odds...”Hesper walked out of the kindergarten holding Renfrew’s hand. Seeing that the little fella was holding her hand and following her obediently, Hesper suddenly felt a little sad.Ms. Zeelen’s words continued to linger in her mind. Hesper knew that the superficial relationship that she had with Rickard might seem reliable and would make others envious; that was why they had agreed to come today.After all, no one would want their ch
He had never anticipated that he would end up loving her so deeply.It could be said that amidst all the misunderstandings and complexities, their journey together had taken many winding paths."I wouldn't risk getting into trouble just to set off fireworks for someone I didn't even like," Rickard said, his voice gentle. "You dummy."His words were soft, but as Hesper listened to his explanation, she cleared her throat, and her eyes turned bloodshot. She had never imagined that the person she had loved so intensely in her youth had, at some point in their lives, secretly admired her.Hesper attempted to smile but ended up with teary eyes. Seeing this, Rickard reached out and affectionately ruffled her hair. "If it's going to make you cry, I won't say anything more."Hesper pursed her lips. "If you don't want to talk about it, then don't."Rickard, despite understanding her reluctance, couldn't help but reflect on the past and openly admitted to the emotions he had felt in his you
They were flooded with memories, and Hesper couldn't help but admit that she had been through so much with Rickard. Her eyes welled up with emotion.The livestream ended, as they couldn't maintain constant surveillance of their lives. Even though they hadn't gone home yet, the crew had left.In the past two days, people had gotten to know them quite well, so the crew decided to give them some alone time.Hesper sat in the passenger seat and stole a glance at Rickard. She couldn't help but say, "I never expected that the only time you were seen as making a mistake in Grandpa's eyes was because of me.""There are many things you don't know," he replied. Hesper raised an eyebrow and asked, "Like what? Tell me."Suddenly, Hesper recalled the countless times Rickard had looked at her. Yet, during those moments, Rickard had always had feelings for Juniper. She knew that was the reality, so she never expected that Rickard might have had the same strong feelings for her as she had for h
Hesper glanced at Rickard, who remained emotionless, but she still reached out to hold his hand.[This is tough to see. Both of Rickard's parents are no longer here… Sigh.][Hesper immediately checked on Rickard. If I were Rickard, I'd love her so much.]Ernest shook his head and remained silent as he flipped to the next page. Most of the pictures were of Hesper after that. She hadn't realized she had so many childhood photos. Julian appeared in some of them, too.Before everything went sour.Rickard didn't have many pictures. As he grew older, he became quieter.Most of them showed Hesper standing next to Julian, but there was something off about them.[Did you notice... In many of those pictures, Hesper was looking at Rickard, and in others, Rickard was looking at her.][Oh my god, is this puppy love? I had no idea!][I remember Rickard had another lover.]Hesper had noticed, too, but there was no need to remind people that Rickard used to hate her, so she dismissed it as a
Hesper and Rickard entered the room and awkwardly informed Ernest that everything had been live-streamed just now. Ernest was shocked, but upon hearing that it was something people do, he nodded."It's fine. There's nothing that others can't hear."Hesper pursed her lips and glanced at Rickard before saying, "We didn't expect the Summers to come and see you. You should move in with us so these people will leave you alone."If Ernest lived with them, no one would dare intrude because they represented power and influence.Who would dare challenge them?"I don't want to get involved in your life. Renfew and Renarie would keep you occupied enough."Hesper understood that he had already made up his mind not to live with them, so she didn't press the matter further.She could understand his concerns, as many things might become inconvenient. Besides, Ernest didn't want to disrupt their lives either."We'll be heading to Fredonia soon, so even though we have filming to do, we wanted t
So what if the cameras were still recording?"Was my son's life not as valuable as your son's?"If he had grasped this earlier, recent events might not have unfolded. Jade had a point.The live chat fell silent. Though they lacked the full backstory, they could deduce what had transpired in the past.[I heard Rickard lost his parents when he was a child. I feel sorry for him.][His parents died because of that incident. It's no surprise if he harbors resentment.][Truthfully, this old man has no shame. If my child were responsible for another child's death, I'd beg for forgiveness.]Everything unfolding before their eyes was purely coincidental, and no one had control over the situation. They could only watch and terminate the livestream immediately if anything escalated.Fortunately, Jade received a stern talking-to and refrained from discussing the matter further, but Mrs. Summers did not fare as well. Hesper and the others bore witness to her irrational behavior.[This is e
"We've known each other for years, Ernest. I saved your life once, and now your descendants want to take my son's life!"As they approached, Jade Summers was angrily berating Ernest before him. Hesper's countenance immediately turned frosty as she walked over to Ernest."You should conduct yourself more appropriately, Mr. Summers Sr."Jade was taken aback to see Hesper, but he composed himself, took a deep breath, and fixed her with a hatred-filled gaze."If it weren't for you, none of this would have happened. You're just a woman. Since when do you get a say in the Duval family matters?"In the 21st century, people were all for equality. Besides, Hesper was no ordinary or unintelligent woman. Naturally, she had a voice in these matters.The viewers were inundated with comments when they heard Jade's words, and the live chat exploded.[Who is this guy? He looks old but lacks respect.][What's the argument about?][I sense some drama.]Rickard walked over. Jade had thought he
[Didn't Hesper mention that Mr. Duval Sr. took care of her? Maybe she did grow up well.][I'm certain she did. Hesper doesn't strike me as someone who would tolerate mistreatment.]Hesper and Rickard were under constant surveillance throughout the journey, and they hadn't allowed Benji to accompany them. Rickard was behind the wheel, with Hesper in the passenger seat.During the drive, they remained silent, but to observers, it appeared as though they were in harmony.Upon arriving at the ancestral mansion, Hesper noticed other cars parked around and cast a curious glance at Rickard. Visitors to Ernest's home were a rarity."Sir, Ma'am, you're back," a young housekeeper greeted them. It was the same person who had assisted Wendy earlier, but they couldn't recall her name. Nevertheless, Hesper had faith in her.Noticing the housekeeper's troubled demeanor, Hesper deduced that the guest inside was likely unwelcome. However, she couldn't fathom who would disrupt Ernest's life. Given
Rickard noticed something in Hesper's expression, prompting him to ask, "Is there something else you haven't told me?"Being intimately familiar with each other wasn't always without its challenges. Hesper could never conceal anything from him.She sighed and replied, "It's nothing. Just that Pennleigh will also be on the list."Rickard fell silent.Hesper was aware that sometimes Rickard might not appear bothered, but Pennleigh's presence did bother him.Observing Hesper's awkward expression, Rickard lowered his gaze and suddenly took on a pitiful appearance, like a big dog caught in the rain.Yet, she knew he was merely putting on an act. Still, every time she saw him like that, she couldn't help but miss the Rickard who didn't engage in such playful antics. His character had undergone a change.Hesper found it amusing but didn't quite know how to express it. She sighed and added, "It's a fantastic opportunity. I know you'll let me go, right?"Rickard had no intention of inte
"Sullivan lied to her. He had her parents quietly killed. She found out after she turned her back on you."Benji lowered his gaze. "She was already dead when you came back. It was suicide."The conclusion lacked the weight necessary for such a betrayal. Hesper shut her eyes. The person she had trusted most was Renee. They had shared countless years together.Hesper acknowledged that their bond might not have been a genuine friendship. Renee had abandoned her when given the choice.However, Hesper had faced such situations before.Thankfully, there had been someone who had placed her first in their heart, reassuring her that she wasn't always relegated to being an option. Hesper stood in silence for a while before simply nodding.There was nothing she could do to aid Renee now. Renee had entered and departed alone, leaving no trace behind with Hesper.When the topic was broached, it weighed heavily on her heart. Hesper understood the situation but found herself at a loss for word