Abigail really regretted it. She kept getting woken up by Xander and thought, 'If he's not feeling well, why wasn't he tired from last night?' She did not know when things had ended, but she had the longest sleep ever, not getting up until 5:00 p.m.As Abigail descended the stairs, Susanna flashed her a teasing smile. "Rough night? A health shake might perk you up.""Where's Xander?" Abigail asked immediately, momentarily distracted from her hunger."He left for work early," answered Susanna. "Xander mentioned last night was... eventful for you two. He wanted me to ensure you got all the rest you needed. Hungry now?"Abigail was not comfortable with others discussing her private moments with Xander. "Let's not talk about that, Susanna," she said.Susanna saw her discomfort. "Alright. How about that health shake?""Okay," Abigail said, eyeing the thick shake. "I'm not really feeling this. I might just wait for Xander and grab something then."Susanna replied, "Old Madam recommend
Abigail was confused. "What did you say?""Tomorrow, at the office, hand off your tasks to my new assistant," Xander said.Abigail replied, "I planned to help the women's support group in my free time. It won't affect my work as your assistant.""You're working on those comics when you're not with me," Xander said. "You're really good at it. But if you stick around with me all the time, you might miss out on starting that women's group or helping other women find their voice."Abigail's eyes widened. "How'd you find out about my comics?"Xander, a hint of annoyance evident, replied, "You're my wife. I've known you for so long. It's no surprise I'd know."Abigail frowned. "Don't treat me like I'm out of the loop."Xander's chuckle was magnetic, the kind that could make heads turn. Abigail was thankful he kept that infectious smile in check in public; she did not need more women getting charmed by it.Abigail said, "Stop laughing.""Why? Can't I have a little fun?" Xander replie
Susanna: [Old Madam, Abigail mentioned earlier she's hoping for twins. Think you'll need to set aside two islands?]Margaret: [Just two islands? She'll get more than that from me. How about some prime real estate downtown? In short, if I have what Abigail wants, I'll give it to her.]While Susanna chatted with Margaret, she did not notice that the affectionate couple from before was now arguing.Xander said, "We've made up our minds. You should focus on your art and comics. Follow your heart without being tied to just one job."Abigail understood him, but she really liked being his assistant. It was not only about the job's security but also the joy of working close to Xander, being by his side. She said, "I know you're worried I'll get too stressed. But working with you doesn't tire me. I love it."Xander smiled and gently touched her lips. "Remember you said people get tired? I took it to heart. I've offloaded some tasks because I want more quality time with us. Why resist?"Ab
Susanna overheard Xander and Abigail talking. When she heard something she did not like, she stepped in quickly. "Xander, if you're worried about Abigail being too tired, just be direct with her. Don't be so unclear that it hurts her feelings."Xander seemed taken aback. "Didn't I explain myself?"Susanna just let out a sigh.Abigail did not want to argue with Xander because she was upset. "Susanna, I'm hungry. Can we eat?""Sure." Susanna headed to the kitchen, and soon enough, there were several dishes on the table, but only two plates of food. Susanna had not prepared a plate for Xander, obviously showing her disagreement. Not wanting Xander to go without food, Abigail offered him her plate. However, Xander declined, saying, "I'm not hungry."After an afternoon with an IV drip and a nap, he was not hungry. Abigail looked at him seriously. "Skipping meals isn't good for you. You should eat." She was concerned, even though she had been upset just a bit ago.Xander chuckled. "Sus
It was early September. While the north began its cool-down, Florivera remained warm without a hint of winter. Come evening, the sea breeze was a gentle presence. As Abigail strolled in the yard, warmth enveloped her, but Xander's hand was still icy cold.Abigail rubbed Xander's icy hand, hoping her warmth would help. "Have you been taking Dr. Watson's meds? Your hand feels so cold."Xander replied, "It's been an issue for a while. It's not life-threatening, but it doesn't have a quick fix.""You haven't been skipping those meds, right?" Abigail asked. "Perhaps we should seek another doctor's advice? If no one local can help, maybe we should think about going overseas."Xander sighed, "Don't always worry about me. Let's just enjoy our time together.""But—""Shh! Listen. What's that sound?"Abigail tuned in to the surrounding sounds: the whisper of the sea breeze, the cicadas' chirps, and Xander's steady heartbeat. She snuggled even closer to him. It was not really about the wal
Both Abigail and Xander were sad about the thought of not being together in the future. Xander realized that feeling sad inside was even tougher than getting a physical injury. The sadness made his heart feel heavy. He wished more than anything to be with Abigail forever, growing old side by side. He imagined them as an elderly couple, strolling in a park. But he also knew he did not have a lot of time. He needed to follow his plan.Pushing his sadness aside, Xander gently squeezed Abigail's hand. "Want to keep walking?"Abigail wrapped her arms around him. "Yeah."They walked across a large green lawn and came upon a breathtaking view of the ocean. Monsoon Villa's popularity was clear; it sat right in the heart of Florivera city, offering a glimpse of both the bustling city and the serene sea. While Abigail knew about the villa's ocean view, the sight during sunset was a captivating first for her. The sea had a golden shimmer, looking truly magnificent."Nathan, this place is amaz
Abigail said, "I figured it out by myself. Fake Daisy is cold-hearted. Once she got what she wanted, she wouldn't let my mom live." Taking a deep breath, filled with guilt, she added, "I can't find any evidence against her."Xander squeezed Abigail's hand. "Fake Daisy is ruthless, and my team found evidence of her and Gavin's wrongdoings. We handed it to the police, so they won't get away."Abigail asked, "What's the evidence? Is it still good after all these years?"Taking a deep breath, Xander said, "It's hard to say, but it's a video where they killed your mom."Abigail's voice quivered. "Video evidence? Does that mean...?"Xander just nodded. "Yes.""Can I see it?" she asked."The police have it," Xander replied. "I don't think they'll show it to you.""And my mom?" she continued, her voice barely above a whisper.Xander hesitated, then said, "They... they dismembered her."Abigail felt as if the ground had shifted beneath her, overwhelmed by the tragic fate of her mother
Kane quickly gave Abigail a calming shot. "She'll feel better after some sleep," he said.Xander hugged Abigail tightly. Everyone could tell how much he cared for her just by watching him."Xander," Kane said, "why don't you take her upstairs to rest?"Xander nodded. He carried Abigail upstairs and gently laid her on the bed. After helping her into a nightgown, he cleaned her face with a damp towel. He then sat by her side, watching her intently. Holding her hand, he softly kissed it, whispering, "Abigail, I can't be with you much longer. You'll have to face what's ahead without me."Even in deep sleep, Abigail's brow furrowed, as if sensing his words.The night felt endless yet passed quickly. Abigail stirred at 6:00 a.m. and met Xander's intense gaze. Concerned by his pale complexion, she reached out to him."You seem worn out. Everything okay?" she asked.Grasping her hand, he said, "I'm just hungry. Need some breakfast."She rested in his arms briefly until he let go."We
Emma turned and dashed into the bathroom. She cranked the faucet on and splashed water on her face, aiming to soothe her nerves.Although they were engaged, they were still too young, with countless uncertainties looming over their future. The possibility of actually walking down the aisle was up in the air.Decisions made in a rush of happiness could eventually become sources of regret. And Emma knew all too well that she couldn't afford any regrets.She thought that fortunately, Ron hadn't pushed things further, which gave her time to cool off.After freshening up, Emma stepped out to find Ron on the balcony, a cigarette in hand.She couldn't resist chiding him, "I've told you to cut down on smoking. Why can't you seem to remember?"This time, Ron complied, snuffing out the cigarette. "We should get some sleep. We've got to put our best foot forward when we meet your family tomorrow.""Okay, I'll sleep on the couch. You take the bed," Emma responded.Ron simply replied, "As y
Ron looked at her dawdling pace with disdain. "If you, a lady, can handle it, why can't I, a grown man, stay?"His words sounded noble, but Ron regretted them the moment they arrived at the hotel.Despite now earning a decent income, Emma was still reluctant to spend money.This place was hardly a hotel; it was clearly a budget inn charging only a few dozen bucks a night. The hygiene was questionable at best, and safety seemed like a gamble.Ron turned on his heel, dragging her suitcase behind him. "We're leaving, now.""It's too late, and we can't get a refund for the room.""Are you trying to get us killed?"Emma fell silent, her thoughts a whirlwind of frustration. 'I told him he wouldn't be used to cheap places. He insisted on coming with me, and now he won't even let me stay here alone. Why is he so annoying?'However, considering Ron had rushed over in the middle of the night to help her, Emma decided not to hold it against him.Ron picked the best hotel in the area—the
Rebekah glanced over at Ron; she exchanged a knowing look with him before saying, "I'll have someone tidy up the rooms. Why don't you two stay here tonight and keep me company?"Ron replied simply, "Sure."Emma had purchased a midnight flight back to South Florivera, necessitating a rush to the airport, which made staying over after dinner impossible.Yet, she found herself at a loss for words, struggling to decline Rebekah's kind offer.As she hesitated, Ron stepped in to clear the air. "Mom, I've got something on tonight. After dinner, I'll drive Emma back to her dorm."Rebekah raised an eyebrow. "What's so important?" she wondered aloud, thinking, 'Wasn't he the one insisting Emma stay over? What's he up to now?'Ron kept it mysterious. "Life stuff."Rebekah could not help but chide him lightly, "You, always the joker."Right after dinner, Ron insisted on leaving to take Emma back to her dormitory. But as soon as they were out of the gated community, he asked, "So, you reall
Ron chuckled. "I didn't know you were aware that even a cornered rat will fight."Emma shot him a glare. "Are we going or not?"Ron quickly said, "Of course. When Miss Blue commands, how can I dare not obey?"Fearing another of his notorious driving escapades, Emma hastily buckled her seatbelt as she settled into the car.Thankfully, this time Ron kept it smooth, driving steadily.As they neared their destination, Ron finally spoke up, "You know, that Tucker guy is a married man. Don't let his kindness fool you into being the other woman."Emma's gaze on Ron was fiery, seething with anger. "Do you even hear yourself? Is that what you think of me? For the last time: Tucker and I share nothing more than a mentor-mentee relationship. There's nothing else between us.""I'm just looking out for you, worried you might get deceived," Ron said, witnessing Emma's fury for the first time. Yet, he could not help but find her anger not at all intimidating, but rather endearingly foolish.R
The two sisters had a pact: no cell phones at home to keep their secrets from the prying eyes of the Blue family. Thus, Emma could call only at prearranged times, the sole window for Rihanna to catch up.Rihanna's voice bubbled with excitement over the phone, as she chattered away about her life's minutiae.Knowing Rihanna was doing well eased Emma's mind.Just as Emma was about to end the call, she heard Rihanna's voice, soft and wistful. "You're really not coming home for the holidays? If you don't, I'll be all alone."Emma's heart clenched at those words, and she made up her mind in an instant. "I'll come back the day before New Year's Eve."The Blue family had their hands full with festivities that day, too busy to notice Rihanna's absence. Emma figured slipping back unnoticed then would be her best shot.After hanging up, Emma immediately booked a flight from Valtara to South Florivera. With her ticket secured and her last bit of work finished, Emma prepared to leave her off
Emma had no interest in romance, let alone the audacity to dream that Ron might fancy her.This time, she did not pick up the thread of conversation.After dinner, Ron, as usual, drove Emma back to the university.Before parting, Ron said, "Winter break is almost upon us, and the dorms might be off-limits. Are you sure you don't want to stay at my place for a couple of months?"Emma offered a smile in response. "Thanks for the offer. I've spoken with the dorm supervisor and submitted an application in advance. I'll be able to stay over the holiday period."Ron paused before saying, "Well, if you need anything, just let me know. I'll text you my number in a bit; make sure you save it."Emma nodded. "Sure."Without further ado, Ron drove off.Upon returning to her dorm, Emma saw Evelyn and Cassie, busy packing their bags, surrounded by gifts for their parents bought from Valtara.Evelyn asked Emma, "Are you really not going home for the winter break?"Emma replied, "No, I won't
Emma did not have the guts to risk failure because she did not have a safe haven to fall back on.Lucas kicked Ron in the shin. "Come on, if you fancy her, out with it. No Hagrid heir dithers like this."Ron glared at him. "Mind your own business." In his head, Emma was already his. The thought of losing her was unimaginable.Lucas said, "Without my meddling, she'd never be yours."Ron changed the subject. "I called you here for a serious discussion."Lucas replied, "No matter how serious, it can't outweigh the matter of your lifetime happiness."Ron was exasperated. "Lucas!"Lucas relented. "Alright, alright, you talk, I'm all ears."Ron spelled out Emma's music venture with Tucker. After hearing it all, Lucas could not help but see Emma in a new light."Never pegged Emma as such a dark horse," Lucas said.Silently listening to their conversation, Emma was thrilled to have her work recognized.Lucas said, "But, getting back to it, whether a song makes money, and how much, d
Ron barked, "Lucas!"With a chuckle, Lucas responded, "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing Emma. I'm starving. Let's grab some food and talk business while we eat."Ron snapped, "Get lost!"Lucas could not help but revel in Ron's frustration. "Ron, have you fallen so quickly? Who was it that told me they would never accept an arranged marriage?"Emma was increasingly confused by their banter. "If it's inconvenient for me to be here, I can just take a cab and leave."Ron said, "Call you dumb and you won't admit it!"Emma thought to herself, 'I didn't want to be a third wheel, cramping their style. Was that really so wrong? No good deed goes unpunished, apparently.'Suddenly, Ron grabbed Emma's hand and led her inside. "It's cold out; let's go inside."Emma had to quicken her pace, practically being dragged along.Seeing them together, Lucas laughed heartily from behind. "Ron, oh Ron, never thought I'd see the day.""Don't laugh too soon. Your day is coming," Ron shot back.Th
Emma said, "Okay."Ron asked, "Have you won over your crush?"Lucas responded, "Secret."Ron replied, "Looks like you haven't won her over."Lucas said, "As long as I make a move, there's no girl I can't win over. But I haven't made a move yet because the timing isn't right."Ron asked, "Is it because of the Sandow family?"Lucas answered, "The Sandow family wants to marry their daughter to me, and my family wants me to marry her too. But I've told them long ago that I'm not willing to do that. Nobody can make me marry a girl I don't like."Emma remained silent. 'I didn't expect that Lucas would also have the same problem as me and Ron.'It seems like the wealthier the family, the more they'll arrange marriages based on social status without considering personal preferences.'Lucas seemed to sense Emma's thoughts. "Emma, my situation with the Sandow girl is different from yours and Ron's. Don't lump us together."Ron looked at Emma and suddenly said, "There isn't any other gi