A kiss as light as a butterflyโs wing landed on my cheek.A kiss?That was supposed to be a kiss?Was he trying to fool a child?Annoyance bubbled up inside me.I fumed about it, fumed some more, and then just like that my eyes suddenly flew open.The man in front of me froze, completely stunned.Then, his expression shiftedโhis smile growing wider and brighter by the second.I pouted, still unhappy. โLiarโฆโHis laughter was soft, his eyes shining with a light I had never seen before.And then, just as I was about to complain further, he suddenly leaned down and captured my lips in a deep, lingering kiss.Now thatโthat was a real kiss.โฆI woke up one month after falling into a coma.And the first thing I saw was Miles.And thenโฆ he kissed me awake.It was a beautiful way to return to the world.I felt good. Reborn, almost.Dolly arrived within minutes, practically tripping over herself as she burst into the hospital room, wailing as she threw herself onto me.With my throat still raw
The moment that shameless thought crossed my mind, my face flushed red.Miles remained seated beside me, calmly using an exquisite-looking knife to slice an apple into perfectly shaped pieces. I kept watching, not wanting to disrupt the beautiful scene before me.A breathtakingly handsome man, dressed in a crisp white shirt, carefully peeling and slicing an apple for himself. The same hands that signed deals worth millions moved with deliberate precision as he fed himself each piece... I was mesmerized.Miles had finished slicing and picked up a silver fork, spearing a piece of apple before bringing it to my lips.I obediently opened my mouth and took a bite. It was the most delicious apple I had ever tasted.He smiled at me and continued feeding me.Without hesitation, I kept opening my mouth, eating, then opening again.Finally, he stopped. Instead, he picked up a wet napkin and gently wiped my lips.I smiled, puckering slightly in anticipation of his next thoughtful gesture.He
My leg was still in a cast, held together with steel pinsโฆ I had no choice but to lie back down. The voices outside grew louder, more aggressive. "Miles Wynn, what the hell do you think you're doing keeping my wife here?"โJulian Moore, sheโs no longer your wife. The legal team filed for divorce half a month ago.โ โSo what? Until the court finalizes the divorce, sheโs still my wife!โ Milesโ voice was sharp and composed. โJulian, is there any point in being this unreasonable? โFrom the moment Eve made up her mind to divorce you, your relationship was over. Whatโs left is just settling the accounts.โ Julianโs voice was hoarse. โAnd what gives you the right to decide whether weโre over or not? Who the hell are you to her? Sheโs my wife! As long as the court hasnโt ruled on the divorce, Iโm still her husbandโฆโ Miles let out a cold, amused chuckle. โInteresting. I wasnโt aware that a woman was a manโs possession. Just because of a piece of paper, she has to obey you?โ Julia
An hour later, everyone was gathered in the lounge next to my hospital room. Since I had been in a coma for so long, Miles had booked the best VIP suite in the hospital. So, calling it a hospital room was a bit of an understatement. It was more like a three-bedroom apartment, complete with a living area. Now, in the spacious living room, we all sat around, exchanging glances. I clung tightly to Nicholas, and at first, he seemed a little stiff. But as time passed, he pulled me close, holding me just as tightly. I still felt like crying, only this time, they were tears of joy. Julian was taken back to his own hospital room by the nurses, which meant we didnโt have to deal with his presence ruining the moment. Nicholas sighed. โEve waking upโฆ We owe it all to you, Miles.โ Miles clapped him on the shoulder. โNo need to be so formal, brother. And besides, Iโve always liked Eve.โ Nicholas' expression turned complicated. โIf onlyโฆ Never mind. If Iโd known back then, I woul
Nicholasโ expression turned sour. โYeah, I hit him. So what? If some random punk outside had his eye on you, thatโs one thing. But my own buddy eyeing my sister? How could I not beat him up?โThen he shot Miles a look, laced with lingering hostility. โBack then, you werenโt my match. I gave you a bloody noseโฆ Remember that?โMiles rubbed his nose with a smirk. โYeah, I remember. But I also remember you ended up with a swollen eye and a twisted arm.โI couldnโt hold back my curiosity anymore. โSoโฆ who actually won?โโI did.โโI did.โThey spoke at the same time.In the end, Nicholas grudgingly admitted, โFine, he won. But I had him pinned to the groundโhe couldnโt move an inch.โMiles didnโt bother arguing.I finally pieced everything together. โSoโฆ what youโre trying to tell me is that Miles was the first person who ever liked me?โNicholas' voice was deep and serious. โI just want you to move on. See? The right person will always be there. You donโt have to keep holding onto the wrong
For a moment, the hospital room was silent before Dolly suddenly burst into laughter.After she finished laughing, she let out a sigh. โEve, donโt take this the wrong way, butโฆ ever since you jumped into the sea, Julian has beenโฆ well, heโs been a mess.โI frowned. โHow do you know that?โDolly hesitated, casting me a cautious glance. โHeโs come to see me a few times.โHearing his name didnโt sit well with me, especially after today, when he insisted on seeing me and ended up getting beaten by my brother.I could still picture Julian on the floor, struggling to crawl toward meโฆ Lowering my gaze, I sighed. Even though I hadnโt regained my memories, I knew one thingโJulian had always been a proud man. He was too proud to the point of arrogance. Seeing him in such a pathetic state today felt almost unreal. Sensing my displeasure, Dolly quickly clarified, โEve, Iโm not trying to defend him. I justโฆ I just canโt help thinkingโif he regrets it now, why did he make those choices in t
She probably hadnโt expected Pierse to be the one visiting. Dolly, knowing that I had taken care of him before, could only say, โDonโt get worked up. None of it really matters.โ I nodded. Pierse walked in slowly, carrying a large bag of supplements. Before leaving, Dolly gave him a long, serious look and said, โDonโt turn out like your brother. Try to be a decent person.โ Pierse barely knew her, so he simply frowned and ignored her. The door shut behind her, and I leaned against the headboard, quietly studying him. He looked about fifteen or sixteen, but I knew he was only thirteenโjust taller and more mature-looking than most kids his age. Standing there awkwardly with the bag in hand, he seemed unsure of what to do. I cleared my throat. โPierse, have a seat.โ He shot me a stiff glance, then set the bag down on the bedside table. His voice was a little rough. โTheseโฆ I heard theyโre good for recoveryโฆ Just take them.โ Looking at the teenage boy in front of me,
Pierse stammered, struggling to find the right words.I leaned against the headboard, choosing to stay silent.He stepped closer, biting his lower lip. โEvelyn, I was wrong. Canโt you forgive my brotherโฆ for my sake?โI looked at his youthful face, my gaze complicated. โPierseโฆ youโve grown up so much.โHe froze.I gestured with my hand. โYou used to be this small, all chubby and round. And now, just like that, youโve shot up to nearly six feet.โPierse immediately corrected me, almost instinctively. โIโm five foot tenโฆโThen he realized what he had just said and fell silent, lowering his head.โEvelyn, are you really never going to make up with my brother?โHe looked at me with pleading eyes.For a brief moment, my vision blurred.Years ago, that same pair of eyes had looked at me with the same hopeful expression.His big, round eyes were so full of life back then. He used to follow me around all day, calling out, โEvelyn, Evelyn, play with me! Letโs go on the swingsโฆ letโs play ball
I let out a breath of relief. "Good. I guess Iโll stop taking baths from now on. Who knew something so relaxing could nearly kill me?"I tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but neither Miles nor Joseph smiled.Forcing a small grin, I added, "Justโฆ donโt tell my brother, okay?"Miles gave a warm smile. "I wonโt."Joseph glanced at him, then said, "Iโve checked everythingโsheโs fine. Just be careful not to catch a cold."Miles walked him out.When he returned to the room, I was already sitting up against the headboard, my expression uneasy.The mattress dipped slightly beside me as Miles sat down. He looked at me gently. "Eve, whatโs wrong?"My voice was low. "Miles... I had a dream about Julian."Miles let out a quiet breath. "Thatโs normal. I was worried it might be something worse."I shook my head, a flicker of panic rising in my eyes. "But Iโve never dreamed about him since the memory loss. And this timeโฆ I saw the first time I met him."My hands trembled slightly. "I shouldnโt r
Warm water swirled gently around me, and the weight of exhaustion began to pull me under.Sleep crept in, soft and heavy....โEve, come on! I heard the campus heartthrobโs here today!โI looked up, my vision blurry.Where was I?Dollyโs face appeared in front of me, lit with excitement. โHurry! If weโre late, we wonโt get a good view. The clubโs short on people, so they brought in the heartthrob to help out. Come on, everyoneโs rushing over.โI reached out and grabbed her arm. โNo, Iโm not going.โShe gave me a puzzled look. โWhy not? Thatโs Julian Moore! Heโs literally the most popular guy on campus. Heโs good looking and comes from a wealthy family.โSomething caught in my throat. I wanted to speak but couldnโt get the words out.Dolly, getting impatient, tugged at my hand and started dragging me forward.There were people everywhere, too many to count.Eventually, we arrived at the small rehearsal theater.I looked around in confusion. There were crowds all around, but no one I re
But what did she say?Julianโs grip tightened around the charm, his fingers curling into it as pain filled his eyes...."Julian, I know thereโs nothing I can do for youโฆ Just keep this charm. They say the priest there is the real deal. Youโre not supposed to throw it away once itโs been blessed.""Julian, I donโt care if you ever become rich or powerful. I just want you to be safe."That foolish woman had clutched the charm in her hands, smiling at him with such innocence and blind faith....The knot dug into his palm, sharp enough to hurt. Julian opened his hand, then closed it tightly around it again.Chloe, who had been rambling on, finally noticed something was off.She caught sight of the charm in his hand and scoffed. "What is that? It looks so tacky."She reached over, trying to take a closer look.Julian quickly slipped it into the inside pocket of his suit jacket.Chloeโs eyes narrowed. "Did she give you that?"He started the car, his voice flat. "No. I got it myself. Some p
Julian looked at me, confused.I took a deep breath. "Julian, stop. I know why you're apologizing. You're doing this for Chloeโs child, right? You just donโt want things to get ugly."He lowered his head, then gave a small nod. "Yes, thatโs part of it... but I reallyโฆ"I cut him off quickly. "Donโt. Goodbye, Mr. Moore."Without looking back, I turned and got into the car.Miles noticed something was off the moment he saw my face. "What did he say?"I steadied myself. "He wants to settle everything privately. He doesnโt want it to go to court."Miles glanced toward Julianโs lonely figure in the distance, his eyes flickering."You okay?" he asked.I shook my head. "Iโm fine."He paused, then handed me a tissue. "If it hurts, just cry."I looked at him, my eyes dry. "I canโt cry. But why do I still feel so awful?"His gaze softened. "Julian's pulling all this to protect his pride because of Chloeโs child, isnโt he?"I drew in a shaky breath. "Yeah. He apologized, but in the end, itโs still
Julian's expression darkened as he stared at me. "Evelyn, I thought you said you loved me? And yet here you are with Miles alreadyโwhat, were you two sneaking around while we were together?"Without thinking, I slapped him.He grabbed my wrist, sneering coldly. "Did I strike a nerve?"I laughed in anger. "I shouldnโt have let Miles in the car earlier. If I hadnโt, the one slapping you right now wouldโve been him."Julian let go of my hand and said coolly, "Enough nonsense. Evelyn, dragging this to court would just be a spectacle. After five years of marriage, I donโt want things to end like this."Was he trying to reconcile?I forced down my fury and asked, "What do you have in mind?"Julian hesitated, his gaze complicated. "Iโll return everything that belongs to you... just give me some time."I was stunned.I hadnโt expected Julian, who always seemed so tough, to willingly give up fighting and hand over what I deserved.I went quiet. "Alright. How much time do you need?"Julian tugged
Julian blurted out, โWhat?!โThen, snapping out of his shock, his face twisted with fury. โMiles Wynn, what the hell do you mean by that?!โMiles smiled, calm and unbothered. โNothing more than the truth.โJulianโs voice rose, livid. โTruth? This is nothing but one of your dirty tricks!โMiles raised a brow, pretending to be confused. โDirty? Hmm. Iโd actually call it a fresh idea.โJulianโs already dark expression grew stormier.Chloe stood beside him, jaw clenched, eyes locked on us with thinly veiled rage. Suddenly, she cut in sharply, โBut wasnโt it Miss White who transferred the 1.2 million to Elmwood?โDolly stepped forward without missing a beat. โThat money was loaned to Eve by me. Got a problem with that?โThat shut them both up.I felt a wave of satisfaction rise in my chest. But I also knew Julian wasnโt going to let this slide so easily.Sure enough, he turned to me, eyes cold. โEve, this is going to court anyway. You can spin the story however you want. Weโll see what the
The moment I saw that elegant, refined face, so striking it felt almost divine, every bit of the frustration Iโd buried surged to the surface.Without a second thought, I rushed into his arms. โMiles!โWarmth enveloped me, and the familiar clean scent of pine wrapped around my senses. My eyes stung instantly.Miles lowered his head, chuckling softly. โWhatโs wrong? You look like a little bunny with those red eyes.โFeeling embarrassed, I gave his chest a light smack. โWhy are you here?โHe studied my face carefully, then gently brushed his fingers across my cheek. โI heard someone was picking on my darling, so I came running.โThat warmth spread through my chest, overflowing, making it hard to hold back tears.He leaned down, his voice low in my ear. โDonโt cry, silly girl.โThen he straightened and looked around the room.His gaze passed over Sarah and Dolly, finally landing on Julian.Julian instinctively straightened his back.He stepped forward, voice laced with sarcasm. โWhat brin
I turned to Sarah with an apologetic expression. โIโm sorry, Miss Care. It seems Iโm not in a position to work with your company until I sort out my personal matters.โSarah shook her head regretfully. โPlease donโt apologize. Our company is moving forward with expansion this year. Weโve already allocated the available investment slots. If you decide not to investโฆ weโll have to open the opportunity to others.โShe gave me a sympathetic look. โIโm sorry, Miss White. But once this window closes, there will be no further opportunity.โI offered a bitter smile and nodded. โI understand.โDolly was so angry, she could barely hold back a choked sob. โThat shameless bastardโฆ absolutely shameless!โI squeezed her hand, silently telling her it was time to go.Julian stepped in front of us, blocking the way. His expression was conflicted, and when he spoke, his voice was softer than Iโd ever heard it.โEve, maybe we can talk this through.โโJulian, youโฆ youโre still not done?โ Chloeโs voice r
The moment I heard those words, a rush of blood surged to my head.My ears rang, and that all-too-familiar wave of dizziness came crashing back.I barely registered Dolly's voice rising in fury. โJulian Moore, do you have no shame? You really dare say that was marital property?! Eve paid for it herself! Youโฆ you're absolutely disgusting!โI could barely stay on my feet, the world tilting around me.โDollyโฆ Iโฆโ I whispered weakly.She quickly caught me and helped me sit down.I took a few deep breaths to steady myself, then looked up at Julian. And for a split second, though maybe it was the dizziness playing tricks on me, I thought I saw a flicker of concern flash through his eyes.Sarah noticed something was off and immediately stepped in. โMiss White, donโt worry. We can take this slowly.โI fought to calm my pounding heart and spoke, voice steady but cold. โWhat exactly is it that you want, Mr. Moore?โJulian hesitated for a moment, but soon the polished businessman returned to his