Mr. Gibson rose to his feet, following his father. “Mom, I don’t want to go and apologize. It’s too humiliating!” Xena grumbled, her brows furrowed in defiance. Hearing his daughter’s remark, Mr. Gibson halted mid-step and turned around, pointing at her in fury. “If you don’t go, I’ll beat you to death tomorrow!” he thundered. Xena cowered under her father’s glare, trembling in fear. *The car pulled up to Mistletoe Villa, and Haley and Wilfred stepped into their home.In the living room, Alex and Helen were busy unwrapping packages. A mountain of toys spilled out, their bright colors scattered across the room. It was obvious Helen had taken Alex out shopping while Haley wasn’t home. “Mommy, these are from Aunt Helen’s boyf—” Alex began excitedly, only to have Helen clap a hand over his mouth in panic. Alex wriggled in her arms, flailing his little arms in protest as his eyes widened in frustration. Helen was bullying him again, taking advantage of being an adult
After a moment of pondering, Alex tilted his head, fiddling with his Ultraman toy, and suddenly asked, “Mommy, did you have fun at the banquet? Did you meet anyone… strange?”During dinner, he had overheard bits of Helen’s conversation with Zac, but only half-understood it, so he could only use "strange" to describe his vague impression.Haley’s gaze flickered subtly as she watched the TV.Helen, sitting nearby and playing with Alex, discreetly glanced up, nervously observing her sister’s reaction.Wilfred remained composed, unbothered, as he calmly loosened his tie.“There wasn’t anyone strange,” Haley said evenly, her eyes still fixed on the TV screen. “It was just a group of unfamiliar businessmen and politicians. Nothing different from the usual banquets.”Her voice was calm, her attention seemingly absorbed in the melodramatic soap opera playing on the screen—a show Helen was currently hooked on. On the screen, the male and female leads were reuniting three years after a
Haley grabbed a bottle of red wine and a wine glass, returning to her bedroom. She slid open the floor-to-ceiling windows, carrying the bottle with her as she stepped onto the balcony. Pouring herself a glass, she leaned quietly against the railing, resting on her elbows as she gazed out into the night.Mistletoe Villa was part of a historic cluster of homes not far from the city center. Built in varying styles inspired by different countries, the villas dated back to the pre-war era and carried rich historical significance. The neighborhood itself, also called Mistletoe Lane, offered a clear view of the city's skyline. From her vantage point, Haley could see the iconic ocean-inspired architecture of Lincourt City lit up against the night—her favorite being the statue of the mermaid.The cool night breeze tousled her freshly washed hair, which fell softly down her back. She took a small sip of wine, her gaze lingering on the cityscape she hadn't seen in so long. The city had change
Justin stared at his phone, reluctant to put it down, unaware he had already been blocked. He hadn't dared to use his usual number to call her—he was too afraid. Afraid she wouldn’t answer. On the drive back to Villa One, Justin couldn’t stop replaying the night in his head, wondering how he should approach her, what he could possibly say. He had messed up at the Gibson estate. He had been too emotional, too impulsive. He never should have kissed her the moment they met. It was his fault. If he continued behaving this way, she would only grow to despise him. His heart pounded relentlessly in his chest. But it wasn’t just from guilt—it was because of her. She was alive. He had felt her presence, seen her with his own eyes. She was alive. In his overwhelming excitement, Justin completely ignored what Haley had said to him earlier: “Don’t bother me again!” *Helen lay in bed, clutching her Ultraman plushie with a troubled expression. She couldn’t stop
Xena apologizing? Did the sun rise in the west today? Wasn’t she flat-out denying everything just yesterday?Haley lowered her gaze briefly before heading back downstairs to the living room. Calmly, she said, “Let them in.”In the living room, Haley took the seat of honor, while Mrs. Gibson and Xena sat on the lower seats. Only after the maid served tea did they finally speak.“Oh my, Miss Haley, your home is so warm and full of artistic charm! It’s like stepping into the royal gallery in Yonwood!” Mrs. Gibson’s eyes darted around, searching for something to compliment in an attempt to close the distance. Then she added, “Is Mr. Wilfred home? He’s not around, is he?”Haley gave her a cold, detached look and didn’t answer the question. Instead, she said, “Mrs. Gibson, if you have something to say, please get straight to the point.”Mrs. Gibson chuckled nervously, lowering her head slightly. “Well, after last night’s banquet, we looked into the matter and found that, indeed, m
Haley didn’t express whether she forgave them or not.Their apology, whether sincere or not, had no bearing on her life. She had no obligation, nor the inclination, to help discipline someone else’s rebellious child.Her days were filled with important and meaningful tasks that demanded her attention. She wasn’t about to waste her time on trivial matters like this.However, asking her to plead with Wilfred on behalf of the Gibson family’s business? That was entirely out of the question. “In that case, about this gift…” Mrs. Gibson gestured toward the high-end garment bag on the coffee table. “Leave it here,” Haley replied, her tone calm but firm. “There aren’t many people at home today, so I won’t keep you for lunch.” It was a polite dismissal. Haley accepted the gift. After all, Haven State wasn’t their territory, and maintaining appearances was necessary. But that didn’t mean she had any intention of wearing the dress.“Alright then, since you’re busy, we’ll take our lea
Helen decided to head back to her room for a nap. Just as she lay down and closed her eyes, she suddenly remembered how mischievous Alex could be.Feeling uneasy, she got up and quietly returned to his room. Gently pushing the door open a crack, she peeked through to see if Alex was actually studying.Seeing him sitting quietly at his desk, diligently reading, Helen finally felt relieved and went back to bed.Alex managed to stay focused on his books for about three hours, retaining bits and pieces of what he read. But eventually, he couldn’t sit still any longer. His bottom hurt from sitting for so long. Standing up to stretch, his curious eyes darted around, his little mind whirring with ideas.He slipped out of his room and glanced down the hallway. The living room was empty. The housekeeper and staff were either preparing lunch or cleaning. Taking the opportunity, Alex rushed back to his room and stuffed the gift he had prepared for Justin into his small backpack. He made s
At Lichfield Hospital, Zac had just wrapped up a meeting with the department heads and was walking out, accompanied by a group of doctors.“Implement this treatment plan right away,” he instructed. “The latest imported medical equipment and medications have arrived and will be delivered to your department this afternoon.”“Understood, Dr. White,” one of the department heads replied.The phone in Zac's white coat pocket buzzed softly. He had put it on vibrate during the meeting. Pulling it out, he glanced at the screen and raised an eyebrow. The corner of his mouth almost curved into a smile. It was Helen calling.Helen was calling him on her own initiative. “Alright, you all go ahead and take care of your work,” Zac said to the group, turning on his heel and heading quickly to his office. Once out of sight, his excitement was impossible to hide. A wide grin spread across his face.He stood there for a moment, grinning like a fool, before picking up the call after letting it r
“Chase, we’re taking Alex to the hospital. Be good and wait at home.” “No! I want to go with him.” Before Helen could respond, Alex, who had only been whining about his stomach pain moments ago, suddenly started thrashing. “I want Chase to come with me! We were born together, so we have to see the doctor together too!” Helen rubbed her temples. The noise was giving her a headache. She looked over at Evelyn, silently asking for permission. Evelyn nodded. “Fine, go together. Just make sure you come back after.” “Okay.” Chase agreed immediately. With that, the four of them headed to the car. *Zac carried Alex through Lichfield hospital at a brisk pace, heading straight for the pediatrics department. Helen and Chase followed closely behind. Suddenly, Alex lifted his head from Zac’s shoulder and said, “Uncle Zac, I want a lollipop. Can you buy me one?” Before Zac could answer, Helen snapped. “Are you serious? You’re crying like you’re on the verge of death
“Enough with the small talk. Your grandma has already agreed to let him stay. From now on, we’re all living together so you can talk anytime you want.” Helen pulled Zac over, positioning him beside her. “You’ll sit here.” Originally, Wilfred had been sitting at the head of the table, but now that Evelyn had arrived in Haven State, he naturally gave up his seat and moved down. As she entered the dining room, the others stood by their chairs, waiting for her to sit first. The Walker family had very few dining rules, except on occasions like this, when there were more people present and Evelyn was home. “Let’s eat,” Evelyn said, and everyone picked up their utensils. Zac didn’t feel out of place at all. This was nothing compared to the formal settings he was used to. Meanwhile, Alex took a few bites of his food, but his eyes kept darting around, filled with mischief.His mind was already spinning with ideas.First, he glanced at his brother across the table.The
Justin turned on the shower, yanked off his clothes, and stepped under the rushing water. Like a man possessed, he scrubbed at his skin over and over again. No matter how hard he scrubbed, he still felt filthy. Would peeling off this entire layer of skin and growing a new one make him clean again? If he could shed this skin, would Haley stop looking at him with disgust? *The next morning, Chase and Alex woke up early. Last night, afraid of being scolded by Evelyn, they had pretended to sleep in the car, planning to wake up once they got to their rooms. But somewhere along the way, they actually fell asleep. Alex slumped over the table, still groggy. “Chase, what do we do? I don’t think Mommy likes Uncle Justin very much.” “Take out ‘I don’t think.’ She definitely doesn’t like him.” Chase pulled out a small sealed plastic bag containing a few strands of hair. He was racking his brain trying to figure out how to get it to the lab for DNA testing. The
Their eyes met. Just as Haley turned to look at him, Justin caught her gaze. But instead of the usual coldness or indifference, her eyes held something unexpected—sympathy. Why? Confused, he got up from the couch and walked toward her. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” His eyes flicked toward the TV screen. “Why did you turn off the screen mirroring? Did Chase or Alex message you?“Or are they acting up at home?” Every question revolved around her and the kids. His focus was entirely on them, like a man whose world had begun to orbit around his family. Haley watched him come closer and closer. He was almost at the edge of the bed. Her brain barely had time to react before she instinctively lifted her uninjured leg and kicked him away. Justin stopped, but instead of backing off, he caught her foot in his hand. “Does this one hurt?” His voice was calm. “Or is it just cold? I can warm it up for you.” Without waiting for a response, he cradled
“Oh.” Helen responded sweetly, her voice soft and obedient. But in the very next second, she grabbed Zac’s hand and turned, dragging him upstairs. “Forget about him. Come on, I’ll show you my room.” “Okay.” The two of them raced up the stairs, disappearing into her room, leaving Richard fuming alone in the living room. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to catch his breath, watching them shamelessly flaunt their affection in front of him. Who was he even trying to protect here? It was all for Helen’s sake! Even if they had a marriage certificate, they hadn’t had a wedding yet! Living together like this—and in their family home, no less—was outrageous! “Ugh! They’re going to be the death of me!”Frustrated, Richard shook his head and placed a hand over his chest, trying to calm himself down. Upstairs, after shutting the door behind them, Helen suddenly remembered that she didn’t have any of Zac’s pajamas here. “Wait here a sec.”She opened the
“So what now? Should we wake Alex up?” Zac suggested. “No! No! No! Don’t wake me up!” Alex screamed in his head. He had no interest in going home just to face Evelyn’s scolding. “Maybe just let him be,” Zac added with a chuckle. “He’s had a long day, and to be fair, he was really well-behaved at dinner. Unlike those other kids who wouldn’t stop crying at their tables.” Then, with a teasing smirk, he threw in another line. “Let’s just let him sleep peacefully.” After all, Alex was the first one to call him ‘Uncle Zac.’ Lying in the backseat, Alex couldn’t agree more. He had been the best-behaved at dinner. He didn’t even need anyone to feed him! Helen let out a small laugh and shook her head. This was the first time she realized Zac could be so sly. She was too exhausted from the day to argue. She bent down, preparing to carry one of the kids inside. But Zac stopped her. “I’ll make two trips.” He flashed her an ambiguous smile before leaning in close.
As Mrs. White spoke, her face lit up with the unmistakable grin of someone deeply invested in her son’s love life. Mr. White took the phone from her, sat down beside her, and grinned just as widely. “That little rascal finally figured out how to chase a woman.” As a father, he was proud. But after the initial excitement, a hint of worry crept in. “Wait, no. I need to call him. I need to find out exactly what’s going on.” What if Zac didn’t know how to handle things properly? As a father, it was his duty to guide his son through this! But before he could dial, Mrs. White swiftly pressed down on his hand, stopping him. “They’re getting along just fine. Why would you call and ruin the moment? Do you want to be a third wheel?” “So… we’re not asking?” Mrs. White thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up. “We’ll text instead!” “Good idea.” *Meanwhile, Zac was completely focused on enjoying grilled skewers with his wife and nephews. He had no idea his cousi
For the past few days, Chase had been completely wrapped up in tracking down the person who had tried to harm his mom. He had hardly slept, let alone had any fun. Now that they had identified the real culprit, there was no way he was just going to head straight home. “I’m not eating. Let’s just go home.” “No way. After that much ‘exercise,’ you’re not hungry?”Helen’s face immediately flushed red. She shot a glare at Zac. What nonsense was he spouting in front of the kids?! Luckily, Alex didn’t pick up on the double meaning. He was just excited. “Yay! That means we don’t have to go home! Uncle Zac, you’re the best! I like you the most!” One sentence was all it took for Zac to start grinning from ear to ear.Smugly, he glanced at Helen and raised a brow, as if to say, “See? Even Alex is on my side.” Helen’s glare instantly shifted to the backseat. This little brat—whose side was he really on?! In the end, she had no choice but to give in. She called Evelyn a
“Child support,” Justin repeated under his breath, as if still processing the words.He had children now. He was a father. And like any father, he had a responsibility to provide for them. Just like the chairman of B&J Corporation, who had his own family, Justin had a family now too. But… Chase and Alex were already five. Did that mean they no longer needed vaccinations? He had missed five whole years of their lives. Five years. There were countless milestones he could have been part of, yet he had missed them all. That couldn’t happen again. From now on, he wouldn't allow himself to be absent from any part of their lives. He had to be there. Of course, what Justin meant by "seeing the kids occasionally" and what Haley understood were two very different things. Haley thought "occasionally" meant once or twice a year. Justin meant "occasionally" as in every single day. As in—he would see them multiple times a day. Haley, still lying on the bed,